Article

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience a high rate of falls and have
decreased static and dynamic balance. The purpose of this study was to determine
best predictors of static standing balance, as measured by a single limb stance
(SLS) timed test, in ambulatory persons with MS (PwMS) from among commonly used
medical and rehabilitation clinical tests. Ambulatory PwMS participated in a
single test session. Medical exam data gathered included the Function System (FS)
neurologic exam and Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS). A variety of
commonly administered rehabilitation clinical tests addressing static balance,
dynamic balance, gait endurance, functional lower extremity strength, abdominal
and respiratory muscle strength were completed. Descriptive statistics, Pearson
product moment correlations, and forward step-wise linear regressions were
calculated. Twenty-eight ambulatory PwMS completed this study. Mean age was 54.74
years. Mean SLS score was 14.6 s. Pyramidal, sensory, bowel/bladder, and visual
FS scores and the EDSS were significantly correlated with SLS. Maximal step
length scores were significantly correlated with SLS at P less than 0.05 and the
Functional Stair Test (FST) and 6-min walk test were correlated with SLS at P
less than 0.10. Medical exam data EDSS and FS sensory explain 72.1% of the
variance in SLS scores. Rehabilitation exam data FS sensory and FST explain 68.8%
of the variance. The FS sensory, EDSS, and FST together explain 73.3% of the
variance.

Langue : ANGLAIS