Article

This study investigated the relationship between self-reported use of
the upper limbs and clinical tests in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).
METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 25 pwMS with upper limb dysfunction.
The Motor Activity Log (MAL) was bilaterally applied to investigate the
self-reported use of both upper limbs. Clinical tests on function level were the
Motricity Index (MI) and the Brunnstrom-Fugl-Meyer (BFM). On activity level, the
Action Research Arm test (ARAt) was conducted. To identify the relationship
between the self-reported use and the clinical tests, Spearman correlation
coefficients were calculated. Subgroups of dominant and non-dominant arms were
differentiated, and compared with the Wilcoxon Signed rank test. RESULTS: The
highest correlations were found between the MAL and function level tests: MI (r =
0.83, p < 0.01) and BFM (r = 0.75, p < 0.01). A lower correlation was found
between the MAL and the ARAt (r = 0.49, p < 0.01). For all outcome measures, the
absolute scores were higher for the dominant hand. Higher correlations were found
for the non-dominant compared to the dominant hand. CONCLUSION: The self-reported
use of the upper limbs was highly associated with measures on function level. The
association with activity level was, however, less pronounced. Magnitudes of
relationships were influenced by hand dominance. Implications for Rehabilitation
Self-reported use of the upper limbs in persons with MS, measured by the MAL, is
highly associated with muscle strength and movement control. The ARAt (activity
level of the ICF) is less associated with self-reported use compared to outcome
measures at function level. The ARAt seems to be less sensitive to mild arm
dysfunction. This study indicates that it is feasible and clinically relevant to
apply the MAL as a self-reported outcome measure of upper limb use in MS.

Langue : ANGLAIS