Article

The aim of the study was to establish the test-retest reliability, clinical
significance and precision of four mobility and balance measures - the Timed
25-Foot Walk, Six-minute Walk, Timed Up and Go and the Berg Balance Scale - in
individuals moderately affected by multiple sclerosis. Twenty four participants
with multiple sclerosis (Extended Disability Status Score 5-6.5) were assessed on
four measures of mobility and balance. The Timed 25-Foot Walk, Six-minute Walk
and Timed Up and Go mobility outcome measures and the Berg Balance Scale were
assessed by one assessor one week apart. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)
analysis was carried out to determine reliability. Minimal detectable change
values were calculated to determine clinical significance; the standard error of
each measurement was calculated to assess precision. All four outcome measures
were found to be reliable: Timed 25-Foot Walk ICC=0.94, Six-minute Walk Test
ICC=0.96, Timed Up and Go ICC=0.97 and Berg Balance Scale ICC=0.96. Minimal
detectable change values were as follows: Timed 25-Foot Walk=12.6 s, Six-minute
Walk Test=76.2 m, Timed Up and Go=10.6 s and Berg Balance Scale=7 points.
Standard errors of measurement were as follows: Timed 25-Foot Walk=4.56 s,
Six-minute Walk Test=27.48 m, Timed Up and Go=3.81 s and Berg Balance Scale=3
points. The test-retest reliability of these four outcome measures was found to
be good. The calculated clinical significance and precision of these measures
highlight the problems of assessing a heterogeneous clinical population.

Langue : ANGLAIS