The Reliability and Validity of the Functional Reach Test in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Gazi University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis

Treatments: Other: Functional Reach Test

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04185688

2019-153

Details and patient eligibility

About

Loss of limits of stability ability is one of the major components of balance dysfunction in MS. The functional reach test is quick and clinically available tool for assessing limits of stability but reliability and validity of this test has not yet been systematically examined in people with Multiple Sclerosis.The aim of the study is to investigate reliability and validity of the functional reach test in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Full description

At baseline, the functional reach test, limits of stability test by using Biodex Balance System, Berg Balance Scale, four step square test, and timed up and go test was applied to the patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The functional reach test was repeated after seven days from the first application to evaluate its reliability.

Enrollment: 79 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• at least 18 years,
• neurologist-diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis,
• Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score < 7,
• able to walk 20 m with or without aids,
• no MS exacerbation within the last 2 months,
• use of stable medication in the last 2 months.

Exclusion criteria

• other neurologic disorder,
• pregnancy,
• orthopedic problems affecting gait and stance,
• visual, auditory, orientational problems that could affect study results,
• cardiovascular, pulmonary, and humoral disease.

Trial design

79 participants in 2 patient groups

Multiple Sclerosis

Description:

Functional Reach Test: It measures the maximum distance an individual is able to reach forward beyond arm's length in the standing position when maintaining a fixed base of support. Biodex Balance System: Biodex Balance System is used to evaluate limits of stability. The limits of stability test consists of standing on the platform and leaning in eight directions to make a cursor displayed on the system's screen hit a target. Berg Balance Scale: It has 14 items, each of which is scored from 0 (i.e, severely impaired balance) to 4 (i.e., no balance impairment). Timed Up and Go test: It requires individual to stand up from an armed chair, walk 3m, turn around, walk back to the armed chair, and sit down again. Four square step test: It requires an individual to step over obstacles in various directions including forward, backward, and sideways.

Treatment:

Other: Functional Reach Test

Healthy People

Description:

Functional Reach Test: It measures the maximum distance an individual is able to reach forward beyond arm's length in the standing position when maintaining a fixed base of support.

Treatment:

Other: Functional Reach Test