Article

The 12-item multiple sclerosis walking scale (MSWS-12) has been
validated against self-report and clinical markers, but has not been validated
with a physiological marker of locomotor impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study
further validates the MSWS-12 based on its correlation with the oxygen cost (O(2)
cost) of walking as a physiological marker of locomotor impairment in persons
with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Participants (N=24) with MS completed the
MSWS-12 and then wore a portable metabolic unit for measuring the O(2) cost of
walking during three 6-min walk (6MW) tests. The first 6MW test involved the
participant's comfortable walking speed (CWS), whereas the second and third 6MW
tests were undertaken above (faster walking speed, FWS) and below (slower walking
speed, SWS) the participant's CWS (i.e., +/-5mph CWS). RESULTS: MSWS-12 scores
correlated strongly with O(2) cost of walking during the 6MW tests undertaken at
CWS (r=.641, p=.001), FWS (r=.616, p=.001), and SWS (r=.639, p=.001).
INTERPRETATION: We provide evidence that further confirms the validity of the
MSWS-12 as a measure of the impact of MS on walking.
CI - Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS