assessment of physical functioning in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis

2008 Studies in social security and health | 93

Jaana PaltamaaAssessment of physical functioningin ambulatory personswith multiple sclerosis

Aspects of reliability, responsiveness, and clinical usefulness in the ICF framework

Studies in social security and health 93Kela, Research Department | Helsinki 2008

Jaana Paltamaa

Assessment of physical functioning in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosisAspects of reliability, responsiveness, and clinical

usefullness in the ICF framework

TiivistelmäFyysisen toimintakyvyn arviointi kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla henkilöillä Mittareiden reliabiliteetti, muutosherkkyys ja kliininen käyttökelpoisuus ICF-viitekehyksessä

AuthorJaana Paltamaa, MScDepartment of Health Sciences, University of JyväskyläDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jyväskylä Central [email protected]

The publications in this series have undergone a formal referee process.© Jaana Paltamaa and Kela, Research Department

Layout: Pekka Loiri

ISBN 978-951-669-764-5 (print)ISBN 978-951-669-765-2 (pdf)ISSN 1238-5050

Printed by Vammalan Kirjapaino OyVammala 2008

Assessment of physical functioning in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Paltamaa J. Assessment of physical functioning in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis. Aspects of reliability, responsiveness, and clinical useful-ness in the ICF framework. Helsinki: The Social Insurance Institution, Finland, Studies in social security and health 93, 2008. 201 pp. ISBN 978-951-669-764-5 (print), ISBN 978-951-669-765-2 (pdf).

The main aim of this thesis was to examine the psychometric properties of existing physical functioning measures and to assess the clinical usefulness of the measures in ambulatory persons with MS (PwMS). The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used as a framework for the study. Participants were obtained from a population-based cohort of PwMS (n = 277) living in Central Finland in 2000. High proportion of the 240 PwMS who answered the questionnaire reported a fairly good level of physical functioning. The high reliability scores found showed that the selected clinical measures of physical functioning could be used with confidence in ambulatory PwMS. These measures along with self-reported performance in self-care, mobility, and domestic life were used in a 2-year prospective longitudinal study (n = 120). The predictors of self-reported performance were identified using multinomial logistic regression. The results revealed the value of the clinical outcome measures in detecting minor decrements in functioning that precede and often predict the onset of detectable dependence in performance. In particular, the clinical measures in the ICF activities component predicted poor performance. During the 2-year follow-up, 51% of PwMS reported deterioration compared to the 26% rated as deteriorated by the clinician. Clinically meaningful change was described using multiple anchor- and distribution-based estimates. The thesis provides recommendations for reliable, responsive and clinically useful physical functioning measures suitable for assessing ambulatory PwMS. Assessment for reducing or postponing functional limitations needs to be extended to those who are independent but perceive difficulties in performance. By using responsive measures it is possible to identify early decline and plan interventions to maintain functioning. The ICF was found to be helpful in supplementing the information provided by the measures and in describing the physical functioning of ambulatory PwMS.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, physiotherapy, ICF, physical functioning, outcome measures, reliability, responsiveness


Tiivistelmä

Paltamaa J. Fyysisen toimintakyvyn arviointi kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla henkilöillä. Mittareiden reliabiliteetti, muutosherkkyys ja kliininen käyttökelpoisuus ICF-viitekehyksessä. Helsinki: �ela, Sosiaali- �aHelsinki: �ela, Sosiaali- �a terveysturvan tutkimuksia 93, 2008. 201 s. ISBN 978-951-669-764-5 (nid.),764-5 (nid.), (nid.), ISBN 978-951-669-765-2 (pdf).765-2 (pdf). (pdf).

Tutkimuksessa selvitetään käytössä olevien fyysistä toiminta-kykyä arvioivien mittareiden psykometrisia ominaisuuksia ja kliinistä käyttökelpoisuutta kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla henkilöillä ICF-luokituksen viitekehyksessä. Tämän väestö-tutkimuksen perusjoukko oli Keski-Suomen alueella vuonna 2000 asuneet MS-tautia sairastavat (n = 277). Heistä kyselyyn vastasi 240 henkilöä, joista suuri osa koki toimintakykynsä varsin hyväksi. Reliabiliteettitutkimus osoitti, että valittuja fyysistä toimintakykyä arvioivia kliinisiä mittareita voidaan luotettavasti käyttää kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla. Näitä mittareita käy-tettiin kahden vuoden seurantatutkimuksessa (n = 120) yhdessä kyselyn kanssa, jossa tutkittava arvioi omaa suoritustasoaan itsestä huolehtimisessa, liikkumisessa ja kotielämässä. Koettua suoristustasoa ennustavia tekijöitä selvitettiin multinomiaalisen regressionanalyysin avulla. Kliinisillä mittareilla voitiin havaita vähäisiä muutoksia, jotka usein edeltävät ja ennustavat rajoituk-sia koetussa suoritustasossa. Erityisesti ICF-luokituksen suorituk-set-osa-alueen mittarit ennustivat huonoa suoritustasoa. Kahden vuoden seurannassa 51 prosenttia MS-tautia sairastavista koki terveydentilansa huonontuneen verrattuna niihin 26 prosent-tiin, joiden sairauden vaikeusaste heikkeni neurologin tekemän arvioinnin mukaan. Kliinisesti merkitsevää muutosta kuvattiin useilla sekä ulkoisia kriteereitä käyttävillä että jakaumaperustei-silla menetelmillä. Tämä väitöskirjatutkimus esittää suositukset reliaabeleista, muutosherkistä ja kliinisesti käyttökelpoisista mit-tareista fyysisen toimintakyvyn arviointiin kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla. Arviointi toiminnallisten rajoitusten vähentämiseksi tai lykkäämiseksi tulee ulottua myös heihin, jotka ovat itsenäisiä mutta kokevat vaikeuksia suoriutumisessa. Herkkiä mittareita käyttämällä on mahdollista tunnistaa fyysisen toimintakyvyn heikentyminen jo varhaisvaiheessa ja suunnitella kuntoutusta toimintakyvyn ylläpitämiseksi. ICF-luokitus todettiin hyödyl-liseksi täydentämään mittareiden antamaa tietoa ja kuvaamaan kävelevien MS-tautia sairastavien fyysistä toimintakykyä.

Avainsanat: MS-tauti, fysioterapia, ICF, fyysinen toimintakyky, mittarit, reliabiliteetti, herkkyys


Sammandrag

Paltamaa J. Bedömning av fysisk funktionsförmåga hos MS-sjuka personer med gångförmåga. Aspekter på reliabilitet, sensitivitet och klinisk användbar-het inom referensramen för ICF-klassifikation. Helsin�fors: FP�, Social try��hetHelsin�fors: FP�, Social try��het och hälsa: Undersöknin�ar 93, 2008. 201 s. ISBN 978-951-669-764-5 (inh.),764-5 (inh.), (inh.), ISBN 978-951-669-765-2 (pdf).765-2 (pdf). (pdf).

Huvudsyftet med denna avhandling var att studera psyko-metriska egenskaper hos existerande mätare som bedömer fysisk funktionsförmåga och att utvärdera dessas kliniska användbar-het vid undersökning av MS-sjuka personer med gångförmåga. Den internationella ICF-klassifikationen utgjorde referensram för undersökningen. Deltagarna valdes ut från en befolkningsbase-rad kohort av personer med MS som bodde i Mellersta Finland år 2000 (n = 277). En övervägande majoritet av dessa 240 som svarade på förfrågan meddelade att deras fysiska funktionsnivå var relativt god. De höga reliabilitetsvärdena visade att de valda kliniska mätarna för fysisk funktionsförmåga var tillförlitliga för att kunna användas på MS-sjuka personer med gångförmåga. Dessa mätare tillsammans med ett frågeformulär om prestation i personlig vård, förflyttning och hemliv användes i en tvåårig longitudinell prospektiv studie (n = 120). Prediktorerna för själv-rapporterade prestationer fastställdes med multinomial logistisk regression. Resultaten avslöjade betydelsen av mätskalorna för identifieringen av små funktionsnedsättningar som framträder, och kunde förutspå ett märkbart beroende vid prestation. Speciellt kliniska mätare inom ICFs aktivitetskomponent förutspår dålig prestation. Under den tvååriga uppföljningsperioden rapportera-de 51 % av de MS-sjuka personerna nedsättningar, medan neuro-logen klassificerade andelen nedsättningar till 26 %. En kliniskt betydelsefull förändring åskådliggjordes genom användning av multipla metoder. Avhandlingen ger rekommendationer om till-förlitliga, sensitiva och kliniskt användbara mätare för mätning av fysisk funktionsförmåga hos MS-sjuka personer med gång-förmåga. För att minska eller uppskjuta funktionsbegränsningar bör bedömningen omfatta även självständiga personer som uppvisar prestationssvårigheter. När sensitiva mätare används kan begynnande nedgång upptäckas och interventioner planeras för att bibehålla funktionsförmågan. ICF visade sig vara nyttig som komplement till den information som mätarna gav och vid beskrivning av fysisk funktionsförmåga hos MS-sjuka personer.

Nyckelord: multipel skleros, fysioterapi, ICF, fysiskt funktions-tillstånd, mätare, reliabilitet, sensitivitet


Acknowledgements

This research in the field of physiotherapy was carried out at the Central Finland Central Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jyväskylä, Finland in cooperation with the University of Jyväskylä, Department of Health Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland.

The idea of studying the existing physical functioning measures and assessing their clinical usefulness in persons with multiple sclerosis emerged from my clinical experience as physiotherapist. The chance to study the outcome measures and physical functioning in persons with multiple sclerosis has been both an adventure and an opportunity to educate myself, but it has been a long road. I am deeply grateful to all people who have contributed to this work.

I wish to thank my principal supervisor, Professor Esko Mälkiä, PhD, from the Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland for his support and professional guidance. I also warmly thank my second supervisor Professor Juhani Wikström, PhD, from the Department of Neurology, University of Helsinki, Finland for the constant and friendly encouragement he has shown me from the very beginning of the study process. He placed his expertise on neurology and rehabilitation at my disposal. He also stressed the relevance of the findings for public health. I am particularly grateful to my third supervisor, Professor Arja Häkkinen, PhD from the Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland for, among other things, her help in preparing the final stage of my thesis. During all these years, as a day-to-day colleague in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation she has offered invaluable advice and has been most encouraging. She has the ability to give feedback in a professional, constructive and timely manner. I am also sincerely grateful to my fourth supervisor Professor Esko Leskinen, PhD from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Jyväskylä, Finland for his expertise and guidance on statistical methods. All my supervisors have been patient and tireless in introducing me to scientific research.

Professor Alan Jette, from Boston University School of Public Health, USA and Docent Aarne Ylinen, from the Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Rehabilitation, Tampere University Hospital, Finland have been the official reviewers of my thesis. They are both well recognized in their different fields


of expertise; Professor Jette for his studies in the evaluation of treatment outcomes and in the measurement, epidemiology, and prevention of late-life disability and Docent Ylinen for his expertise in neurology and rehabilitation. It was both a pleasure and an honour for me to receive their constructive comments on the manuscript. Special thanks to you both.

My warmest thanks go to MD Taneli Sarasoja for administering the neurological assessments to all the participants in the study. I wish to thank the research assistant and physiotherapist Heidi West, who took part in the assessments, practical arrangements and data managing. I am most grateful to both of them for the enthusiasm they showed for this study during its course. I also wish to thank Pekka Rahkonen for his work in the statistical analysis of the data.

Doing research in clinical settings places great demands on the whole organization, which has to be able to work towards the same target. I can gratefully state that the study was conducted in an institution with high professional standards. I express my sincere thanks to Chief physician Jari Ylinen, from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chief physician Aimo Rissanen, from the Department of Neurology and all my fellow workers in the Central Hospital, Jyväskylä for their support and for providing excellent working facilities during these years.

In particular, I am most grateful to all of the persons with multiple sclerosis who participated in the study for giving me the possibility to share the experiences they have had during the disease process. I would express my warmest thanks to them for their long-standing participation. I also appreciate their efforts to arrange the time to visit the Central Hospital for several days.

Warm thanks are due to Michael Freeman for all our discussions about how to express my thoughts in English and for his skillful editing of the English language both of the individual papers and the thesis. Thanks to Birgitta Könönen for her work with the Swedish language of the abstract. I am grateful to Tarja Hyvärinen and Maini Tulokas, from the Research Department of the Social Insurance Institution, Finland, for their assistance in finalising this thesis.

It is wonderful to have friends and relatives with whom to share the interesting moments of life and to relax. Thanks to


each and all of you. My thanks are also due to my supportive colleagues and fellow doctoral students at the Department of Health Sciences. I am also indebted to Docent Seija Talo for her expertise and the way she has helped me to widen my understanding of the ICF model.

I am deeply grateful to my mother, Eila Hurri, for her support and love. I also wish to thank for her helping hands in my private life. My heart-felt thanks to my father, Erkki Hurri (in memoriam), for the times we spent together and for all the support and encouragement you always gave to me. He passed away during this process, and would have been so thrilled to see my thesis completed. Your loving memory will always be with me.

With full of gratitude I delicate this thesis to my dear children, Jonna, Ville and Otto. I deeply appreciate their continuous understanding from bottom of my heart. You have filled my life with much happiness all through my life and have kept my thoughts on reality and everyday life.

Financial support by personal grants from the Central Finland Health Care District, Finnish Association of Physiotherapists, Finnish MS Society, Emil Aaltonen Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation and Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) is acknowledged with gratitude.

Jyväskylä, February 2008

Jaana Paltamaa


CONTENTS

LIST OF ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS .................................................................... 11

ABBREVIATIONS ..............................................................................................12

1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 13

2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .........................................................................15 2.1 Concepts ...............................................................................................15 2.2 Multiple sclerosis (MS) ...........................................................................15 2.2.1 Epidemiology ................................................................................15 2.2.2 Clinical characteristics and diagnosis of MS ...................................16 2.2.3 Clinical course ..............................................................................17 2.3 Perspectives of physical functioning .......................................................18 2.3.1 The disease-centred approach to disability ....................................18 2.3.2 The biopsychosocial approach: the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) ......................................18 2.3.3 Activities of daily living ..................................................................19 2.4 Outcome measurements ........................................................................20 2.4.1 Choosing an outcome measure ......................................................20 2.4.2 Psychometric properties of outcome measures ...............................21 2.5 Outcome measures in persons with MS (PwMS) ......................................24 2.5.1 Measures related to disease severity .............................................24 2.5.2 Physical functioning measures .......................................................25

3 AIMS OF THIS STUDY .................................................................................. 32

4 MATERIAL AND METHODS ........................................................................... 33 4.1 Subjects and study design .....................................................................33 4.1.1 Reliability studies of selected outcome measures (II) ......................33 4.1.2 Population-based survey of physical functioning in PwMS (I) ...........34 4.1.3 Prospective 2-year longitudinal study of physical functioning in a cohort of ambulatory PwMS (III–IV) ..........................................35 4.2 Methods ................................................................................................38 4.2.1 Population-based survey (I) ...........................................................38 4.2.2 Outcome measures in the physical functioning studies (II, III, IV) ....39 4.3 Statistical analysis .................................................................................48 4.3.1 Population-based survey (I) ...........................................................48 4.3.2 Reliability studies (II) .....................................................................48 4.3.3 Cross-sectional study (III) ...............................................................49 4.3.4 Responsiveness study (IV) .............................................................50


5 RESULTS ......................................................................................................52 5.1 The impact of MS on performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life domains in the population-based survey in Central Finland (I) .................52 5.2 Reliability and feasibility of the physical functioning measures ................56 5.2.1 Reliability (II) .................................................................................56 5.2.2 Feasibility .....................................................................................56 5.3 Predictors of self-reported performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life in ambulatory PwMS: a cross-sectional study (III) ................58 5.4 Responsiveness in the 2-year prospective longitudinal study of ambulatory PwMS (IV) .........................................................................65 5.4.1 Distribution-based responsiveness of the clinical measures of physical functioning ..................................................................65 5.4.2 Deterioration in physical functioning; anchor-based responsiveness .............................................................................65

6 DISCUSSION ................................................................................................70 6.1 Performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life of PwMS in the Central Finland region (I) ...............................................................70 6.2 Methods used in the physical functioning studies (II–IV) .........................72 6.2.1 Self-report measures (II–IV) ...........................................................72 6.2.2 Clinical measures of physical functioning (II–IV) .............................73 6.3 The cross-sectional study in ambulatory PwMS (III) ..................................76 6.3.1 Study design and subjects .............................................................76 6.3.2 Associations between clinical measures of physical functioning and performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life ................76 6.4 The 2-year prospective longitudinal study of ambulatory PwMS (IV) ..........79 6.4.1 Study design and subjects .............................................................79 6.4.2 Meaningful change in the outcome measures .................................80 6.4.3 Relative responsiveness of the physical functioning measures in the sub-sample who deteriorated ..............................................81 6.5 Physical functioning in regards to the ICF model ......................................84 6.5.1 Recommendations for assessing ambulatory PwMS ........................84 6.5.2 Usefulness of the ICF .................................................................... 90

7 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................ 93

8 YHTEENVETO............................................................................................... 95

REFERENCES .................................................................................................100

APPENDICES ................................................................................................. 121

ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS .............................................................................. 141

11Assessment of physical functioning in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis

LIST OF ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS

This study is based on the following original publications which are referred in the text by the Roman numerals I–IV.

I Paltamaa J, Sarasoja T, Wikström J, Mälkiä E. Physi-cal functioning in multiple sclerosis: A population-based study in Central Finland. J Rehabil Med 2006; 38: 339–345.

II Paltamaa J, West H, Sarasoja T, Wikström J, Mälkiä E. Reliability of physical functioning measures in ambulatory subjects with MS [published erratum in: Physiother Res Int 2006; 11: 123.]. Physiother Res Int 2005; 10: 93–109.

III Paltamaa J, Sarasoja T, Leskinen E, Wikström J, Mälkiä E. Measures of physical functioning predict self-reported performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life in ambulatory persons with multiple scle-rosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2007; 88: 1649–1657.

IV Paltamaa J, Sarasoja T, Leskinen E, Wikström J, Mälkiä E. Measuring deterioration in International Classification of Functioning domains of people with multiple sclerosis who are ambulatory. Phys Ther 2008; 88: 176–190.

In addition, some unpublished data are presented.

Original publication I has been reproduced with the permission of the Foundation for Rehabilitation Medicine, publication II with the permission of John Wiley & Sons Limited, publication III with the permission of Elsevier, and publication IV with the permission of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Original publications are available in the print version only.


ABBREVIATIONS

6MWT 6-minute walk test10MWT 10-meter walk test�DL �ctivities of daily livin��UC �rea under the receiver operatin� characteristic curve BBS Ber� Balance ScaleBBT Box and Block TestBMI Body Mass IndexCES-D Center of Epidemiolo�ic Studies Depression ScaleCI Confidence intervalCV Coefficient of variationEDSS Expanded Disability Status ScaleFSQ Functional Status QuestionnaireHR Heart rateI-�DL Instrumental activities of daily livin�ICC Intraclass correlation coefficientICF International Classification of Functionin�, Disability and HealthM�S Modified �shworth ScaleMDC Minimal detectable chan�eMFIS Modified Fati�ue Impact ScaleMIC Minimally important chan�eMRI Ma�netic resonance ima�in�MS Multiple sclerosisMSFC Multiple Sclerosis Functional CompositeMVC Maximal voluntary contractionNICE National Institute for Clinical ExcellenceNS Not si�nificantOR Odds ratioP-�DL Personal activities of daily livin�PCI Physiolo�ical Cost IndexPPMS Primary pro�ressive multiple sclerosisPwMS Persons with multiple sclerosisRCT Randomized controlled trialROC Receiver operatin� characteristic curveRPE Ratin� of perceived exertionRRMS Relapsin�-remittin� multiple sclerosisSD Standard deviationSEM Standard error of measurementsSLR Strai�ht-le� raise testSPMS Secondary pro�ressive multiple sclerosis V�S Visual analo�ue scaleWHO World Health Or�anizationWIQ Walkin� Impairment Questionnaire


1 INTRODUCTION

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system and, with a lifetime risk of one in 400, potentially the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults. Although MS has little effect on longevity, it has a major impact on physical function, employment and quality of life (Hobart et al. 2004b). It is a complex disorder with diverse effects, an unpredictable course, and variable manifestations that pose unique problems to persons with MS (PwMS) and to their families (Hobart et al. 2004b).

For most symptoms, lifestyle changes and rehabilitative interventions are first-line treatments (Noseworthy et al. 2000; Schapiro 2002; Goldman et al. 2006). Many symptoms are best treated by a multidisciplinary approach that involves specialists in rehabilitation (Noseworthy et al. 2000). Drug therapy for MS includes treatment of acute relapses with corticosteroids, the use of disease-modifying agents that alter the natural history of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and symptom management (Noseworthy et al. 2000; Fox et al. 2006).

It is important to demonstrate the effectiveness of rehabilitation and drug treatment through the appropriate use of scientifically sound outcome measures (Thompson 1998). An outcome measure should be reliable, valid, and responsive to the clinical change that occurs over time (Finch et al. 2002) as well as have clinical familiarity and client acceptability (Kay et al. 2001).

A range of constructs should be measured since MS symptoms vary greatly (Thomp-son 1998) and the interactions between different domains of health, either in terms of the pattern or timing of the outcomes expected, remain unclear (Freeman 1999). It is highly unlikely that one measurement tool will be sufficient to cover the number of items necessary to reflect the full range of ability levels (Thompson 1998; Schwid et al. 2002; Haley et al. 2004a).

While there appears to be increasing agreement on what areas it is important to measure, a consensus on the measures that should be used has not been achieved (Freeman 1999). A recent survey of outcome measures commonly used in Europe to assess PwMS found over 100, although the majority of these measures were only used in a small number of centres (Haigh et al. 2001). An overview of the evidence on rehabilitation by the Consensus Reference Group of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) found that over 60 different measures had been used in research and that, apart from the Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS), few had been used on more than 10 occasions (National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions 2004). They concluded that the utility of different measures in different situations has been little researched and that only relatively few measures have any evaluative data at all been published.


The challenge faced by assessment is to identify an optimal set of functional items that is relevant for PwMS across different settings yet also feasible in the current health care environment. It is important to identify early decline in physical functioning in PwMS. To be able to choose the appropriate outcome measure for this purpose, it is essential to understand the properties of different measures.

The present study focuses on describing the reliability, responsiveness, and clinical usefulness of a set of physical functioning outcome measures across ambulatory PwMS in community settings. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used as a framework to ensure that the most relevant aspects of physical functioning are represented. An attempt is also made to describe the level of functioning in a population based survey of PwMS.


2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE2.1 Concepts

The definitions and explanations are presented in Appendix 1. They are taken prima-rily from official publications or scientific papers. Other explanations are proposed in cases where no published definitions have been found.

2.2 Multiple sclerosis (MS)2.2.1 Epidemiology

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic disorder of the central nervous system (Hafler 2004). On the basis of epidemiological studies various environmental factors have been hypothesized to interact with genetically susceptible individuals; however, the cause of MS and the sequence of events that initiates the disease remains largely unknown (Noseworthy et al. 2000; Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000). MS oc-curs worldwide, although incidence and prevalence rates vary significantly among geographical areas (Pugliatti et al. 2006). The total mean incidence rate in Europe is estimated to be four cases per 100,000 / year (Pugliatti et al. 2006). The prevalence is particularly high (rates of 30 or more per 100,000 population) in northern Europe from Iceland to Russia, Canada and the northern United States, and New Zealand (Kurtzke 2005).

Finland is one of the high-risk regions of MS (Kurtzke 2005). In the 1990s MS was diagnosed in 5 to 12 people per 100,000 of the Finnish population annually and the prevalence (frequency in the population) varied between 100 and 220 cases per 100,000 (only definite cases according to the Poser criteria were considered) (Sumelahti et al. 2001). In Finland, epidemiological studies since 1964 have shown regional variation in MS prevalence, with high-risk regions located in the western, medium risk regions between the western and eastern districts, and a low-risk region in the eastern part of the country (Rinne et al. 1966; Wikström and Palo 1975; Kinnunen et al. 1983; Kin-nunen 1984; Sumelahti et al. 2001). In central Finland in 2000, the prevalence was 105 per 100,000 and incidence 9.2 per 100,000 (Sarasoja et al. 2004). MS is over two-fold more frequent among women than men. In Uusimaa the ratio of women to men with MS was 2.3 : 1 (Sumelahti et al. 2001) and in Central Finland 2.5 : 1 (Sarasoja et al. 2004). In Finland the first symptoms generally appear at age 20–30 years (Hafler 2004), peaking at age 40–49 years (Sumelahti et al. 2000; Sarasoja et al. 2004).

The total number of persons with MS (PwMS) in Finland in 2000 was approximately 6,000 of whom 2,919 were on a disability pension (1.1% of all pensions), 2,062 received a disease care allowance, 1,769 used the rehabilitation services provided by the Social Insurance Institution and 3,006 received special refunds for medical costs (Social Insurance Institution 2000).


2.2.2 Clinical characteristics and diagnosis of MS

The symptoms and signs of MS depend on the location of the lesion in the central nervous system (Compston and Coles 2002). MS inflammation can occur anywhere in the brain, spinal cord, or optic nerve, and the resulting symptoms can involve a single neurologic function or a combination of these (Fox et al. 2006). The symptoms merely reflect the functional anatomy of impaired salutatory conduction at affected sites, although most inflammatory foci do not cause symptoms (Compston and Coles 2002). The patterns of demyelinisation are heterogeneous among PwMS and may in-volve various pathogenic mechanisms (Noseworthy et al. 2000). Early symptoms of MS are widely believed to result from axonal demyelination, which leads to the slowing or blockade of conduction (Noseworthy et al. 2000). There is growing evidence that, although myelin is the primary target of the disease, axonal damage occurs early and increases over time (Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000).

The most common symptoms of MS onset are visual abnormalities (49%), motor symptoms involving weakness and spasticity (43%), and sensory symptoms (41%) (Poser et al. 1979). Coordination abnormalities, and bladder and bowel dysfunction are uncommon as symptoms of MS onset but occur in more than 50% of PwMS during the course of their disease (Poser et al. 1979). Cognitive impairment occurs in approximately 50% of PwMS, sometimes early in the disease course (Amato et al. 2001). The prevalence of depression in PwMS has been estimated to be 27% to 50%, and thus higher than in the most other chronic neurologic diseases, supporting the idea that an organic mechanism contributes to depression in MS (Goldman et al. 2006). Between 60% and 90% of PwMS report fatigue (Goldman et al. 2006). The many symptoms associated with MS cause functional impairment (e.g. gait and bal-ance disorders) later in the course of the disease (Compston and Coles 2002). Many symptoms of MS can be both primary and secondary in nature (Schapiro 2002). For example, although fatigue appears to be a product of demyelination, it can also be a secondary symptom related to the adverse effects of drug therapy, deconditioning, and psychological aspects of the disease (Schapiro 2002).

A diagnosis of MS should be made clinically by a physician with specialist neurological experience on the basis of evidence of central nervous lesions scattered in space and time, and primarily on the basis of the history and examination (National Collaborat-ing Centre for Chronic Conditions 2003). The diagnostic criteria for MS were updated in 2001 (McDonald et al. 2001) and now include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine and other paraclinical testing to fulfil the “dissemination in time and space” criteria for definite MS. A patient presenting with the appropriate clinical symptoms and whose evaluation meet some but not all of the necessary criteria, is considered to have possible MS (McDonald et al. 2001). The previous diagnostic cri-teria for MS by Poser (Poser et al. 1983) have been widely applied in clinical practice and used for inclusion criteria in various studies. The diagnostic criteria include both clinical presentation and paraclinical examinations including abnormalities typical for MS found in the cerebrospinal fluid and studies of evoked potential (Poser et al.


1983). The criteria by Poser include clinically definite MS, laboratory supported definite MS, probable MS (either clinically or laboratory supported), and possible MS.

2.2.3 Clinical course

MS clinically presents with signs of multiple neurological dysfunctions followed by recovery or by increasing disability because of irreversible functional disability over time (Fox et al. 2006). At onset, MS can be clinically categorized as either relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS, observed in 85–90% of patients) or primary progressive MS (PPMS). Relapses typically present subacutely, with symptoms developing over hours to several days, persisting for several days or weeks, and then gradually dissipating. Such relapses are likely caused by the traffic of activated, myelin-reactive T cells into the central nervous system, causing acute inflammation with associated oedema. With time, the extent of recovery from relapses is often reduced, and baseline neurological disability accrues. Ultimately, approximately 40% of relapsing-remitting individuals stop having relapses and develop what may be a progressive neurodegenerative sec-ondary disorder related to chronic inflammation of the central nervous system and known as secondary progressive MS (SPMS). PPMS is characterized by the absence of acute relapses, showing instead a gradual clinical decline from disease onset. (Hafler 2004)

This classification of RRMS, SPMS and PPMS is useful for prognosis, because major permanent impairment and disability occur in the progressive types or phases of the disease in most people, rather than as sequelae of relapses (Wingerchuk and Weinsh-enker 2000). The prognosis for disability and mortality is clearly worse in the PPMS group than for those with RRMS and SPMS (Ebers 2001; Myhr et al. 2001; Compston and Coles 2002; de Groot et al. 2005). The median time from MS onset until conver-sion to SPMS is approximately 10 years (Weinshenker et al. 1989). The median time from SPMS onset until a cane is required is about 5 years, and until a wheelchair is required constantly about 24 years (Weinshenker et al. 1989). Therefore, many PwMS are able to walk, albeit with some type of assistance, for more than 20 years after the progressive phase begins (Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000).

Although the clinical course is highly variable, most patients eventually develop severe neurological disability (Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000). There is evidence that motor function (i.e., gait and balance) may begin to deteriorate in the early stages of the disease, even when the neurological signs are mild (Martin et al. 2006). PwMS have been found to experience limitations in daily functioning after three years from diagnosis, although neurological deficits were relatively minor and mental health were relatively unaffected (de Groot et al. 2005). In about one quarter of PwMS, MS never affects activities of daily living; conversely, up to 15% become severely disabled within a short time (Compston and Coles 2002). Approximately 10–20% of all PwMS has the mildest form of MS, known as benign MS (Ramsaransing and De Keyser 2006), which describes PwMS who maintain normal or only mildly impaired neurologic


function despite living with MS for many years or even decades (Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000).

Drug therapy for MS can be viewed considered as three parallel pathways: treatment of acute relapses with corticosteroids, symptom management to alleviate e.g., spasticity, bladder symptoms, pain and fatigue, and the use of new disease-modifying agents that alter the natural history of RRMS (Noseworthy et al. 2000; Fox et al. 2006). The effects on prognosis of the newer treatment regiments are not as yet clear (Hafler 2004).

2.3 Perspectives of physical functioning2.3.1 The disease-centred approach to disability

Within physiotherapy, the disablement model has proven useful as a language to delineate the consequences of disease and injury (Jette 1994). A number of models exist that provide a conceptualization of health and disability. The terminology used in the field of disablement led to confusion and controversy across and within disci-plines. In the earlier, Nagi (1965) and ICIDH (WHO 1980) disablement schemes, the central goals were to delineate the major pathways from disease or active pathology to various types of functional consequences. In both of these models functioning is seen as a continuum ranging from minimal, tissue or organ-level deviations from normal bodily functioning [referred as pathology (Nagi 1965) or disease (WHO 1980)] to major functional limitations, where the individual’s overall ability to perform various activities is limited, and ultimately to what has been referred to as disability (Nagi 1965) or handicap (WHO 1980). Apart from the previous models, the disablement model described by Verbrugge and Jette (Verbrugge and Jette 1994) emphasized the contribu-tion of risk factors and extra- and intra-individual factors to the main pathway.

2.3.2 The biopsychosocial approach: the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the International Classifi-cation of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (WHO 2001), which provides a stand-ard language for the description of health-related functioning and the consequences of health conditions. Changes in health and functioning can take place at any time of life because of disease, disorder or injury, and take place inevitably as we get older.

The ICF incorporates the biopsychosocial model, a synthesis of the existing medical and social approaches. It has moved away from being “consequences of disease” to “components of health”. The ICF has preserved the basic structure of three levels of functioning. Functioning is now an umbrella term for positive aspects of the interac-tion between an individual (with a health condition) and that individual’s contextual factors. Disability is the negative umbrella term, and no longer the term for one of the three levels of the disease-centred disability models. (WHO 2001)


The ICF has two parts, Functioning and Disability and Contextual Factors, each with two components. Each component consists of various domains and, within each domain, categories, which are the units of classification (Figure 1). The definitions of the terms used by the ICF are presented in Appendix 1.

ICF

Part 1: Functioning and disability Part 2: Contextual factors

Body functions and structures Activities and participation Environmental factors Personal factors

Change in body function

Change in body structure

Capacity Performance Facilitator/barrier

Item levels– 1st– 2nd– 3rd & 4rd





Classification

Parts

Components

Constructs/qualifiers

Domains and categoriesat different levels

Figure 1. Structure of the ICF (WHO 2001). Reprinted with the permission of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The interactions in the ICF are bidirectional, and an individual’s functioning in a specific domain is an interaction or complex relationship between the health condition and contextual factors (i.e. environmental and personal factors) (WHO 2001). There is a dynamic interaction among these entities: interventions in one entity have the potential to modify one or more of the other entities. These interactions are specific and not always in a predictable one-to-one relationship. It is important, however, to collect data on these constructs independently and thereafter explore associations and causal links between them. If the full health experience is to be described, all the components are useful. While assessment of functional status made by health-care professionals is important, it only provides part of the picture. On the practical level, the ICF as a biopsychosocial model takes to view that understanding the person’s subjective experience is essential for accurate diagnosis, health outcomes, and ap-propriate care.

2.3.3 Activities of daily living

For several decades disability measures used in rehabilitation research have been organized along the single construct of activities of daily living (ADLs), with a dis-tinction between the categories of personal (P-ADL) and instrumental (I-ADL) ADLs (Lawton and Brody 1969; Leveille et al. 2004). The ICF has specified several domains


in the component of activities and participation in order to define the domain of daily activities (Coster et al. 2004). Items representing all of these domains have appeared in one or more of the existing measures of P-ADL and I-ADL (Coster et al. 2004). However, it might not be possible to describe by a single ICF category (Haglund and Henriksson 2003). Thus, classification of activity items as P-ADL or I-ADL or as be-longing in a particular subdomain has not been based on a clear priori conceptual model (Coster et al. 2004).

The main rationale underlying the various categorizations has been to put together activities (items) that have the same general functional goal (WHO 2001) and reflect a single functional continuum. The relevant underlying continua may not reflect a distinction whether an activity is personal or instrumental but rather the key abilities that support the performance or the activity (Coster et al. 2004).

2.4 Outcome measurements2.4.1 Choosing an outcome measure

The use of outcome measures is recognized as a core standard of physiotherapy practice by the European region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (World Congress of Physical Therapy (WCPT) 2002). An outcome measure should be standardized, with explicit instructions for administration and scoring (Rudick et al. 1996; Finch et al. 2002). A wide selection of standardized measures have been published (Finch et al. 2002; Wade 2003). The following questions, according to Hammond and Kendall (Kendall 1997; Hammond 2000), should be considered when a choice of method is done: (a) Why do you want to measure?; (b) What do you want to record?; (c) Who is the information for?; (d) How will you measure it accurately?

As part of evidence-based practice and clinical decision making processes, physi-otherapists are required to assess the effectiveness of their interventions, and the use of appropriate and high quality outcome measures aids this process (Finch et al. 2002; Horner and Larmer 2006). Other reasons for using outcome measures include definition of the characteristics of individuals (discrimination) and predicting the prognosis (Guyatt et al. 1992; Freeman 1999; Finch et al. 2002).

Choosing what to measure depends on the rehabilitation goals (Kendall 1997). In reha-bilitation, many interventions are often given over time with the result that the relevant outcome is not always obvious (Finch et al. 2002; Wade 2003). It is not uncommon to expect several effects, each of which may need a measure (Wade 2003). Tradition-ally, physiotherapists have focused on the measurement of impairments such as pain, range of motion and muscle strength, but have not utilized standardized measures of activities and participation (Vanderkooy et al. 1999; Haigh et al. 2001; Kay et al. 2001). It is difficult for one measure to cover the number of items necessary to reflect the full range of ability levels (Haley et al. 2004a). Although all the ICF components should be measured to fully assess the effect of physiotherapy, it has been suggested


that the measure should have items measuring a single outcome (i.e. body functions or activities and participation) as there is more chance of detecting a true treatment effect rather than a masking effect, which could occur if a measure contain items that assess more than one construct (Wade 2003). Primary outcome measures in re-habilitation research will be at the level of activities, but impairment-based measures are useful both to measure prognosis (case mix) and to track the (process) effects of interventions (Wade 2003).

The key outcomes that are important to individuals, treatment providers, employers, and financier should be clearly identified (Kendall 1997). In selecting outcome meas-ures, physiotherapists must decide whether to assess physical functioning by means of a self-report measure (i.e., the individual is reporting his or her perception of abil-ity to complete a task) and/or clinical outcome measure (i.e., the person’s ability to complete a task is examined by observing his or her performance), as well as disease specific and/or generic measures (Kay et al. 2001; Brach et al. 2002). Disease-specific measures focus on the specific complaints that are attributable to a condition and ge-neric measures are intended to be broadly applicable across different types of disease and different populations (Fitzpatrick et al. 1998; Hammond 2000).

An informed decision is reliant on knowledge of the psychometric (reliability, validity, and responsiveness) properties of available measures (Freeman 1999; Finch et al. 2002). In addition, it is important to judge the feasibility and overall clinical usefulness of an outcome measure (Auger et al. 2006). They address the practical aspects of using an outcome measure such as time to administer, user friendliness, appropriateness to the target population, and burden of patient when an outcome measure is appraised in a specific clinical context, for a specific purpose (Thompson 1998; Freeman 1999; Hammond 2000; Finch et al. 2002; Auger et al. 2006).

2.4.2 Psychometric properties of outcome measures

Psychometric theory is concerned with the science of assessing the characteristics of outcome measures such as reliability (the instrument is free from random error), validity (the instrument measures what it purports or is intended to measure) and responsiveness (the instrument is capable of measuring clinically significant change) (Fitzpatrick et al. 1998). Discriminative outcome measures, i.e. measures designed to measure cross-sectional differences between people, are required to be both repro-ducible and valid. For evaluative outcome measures, i.e. those designed to measure longitudinal differences within people over time, an additional property, responsive-ness, is required. (Guyatt et al. 1992.)


Reliability

The principal definition of reliability is the degree to which a measure is free from random error (Fitzpatrick et al. 1998; Lohr 2002), which can be defined as chance unexplained fluctuations in the data (Nunnally and Berstein 1994). The reliability of a particular measure is not a fixed property (Streiner and Norman 1996; Bruton et al. 2000), but must be identified for a specific population (Horner and Larmer 2006). Classical approaches to examining reliability include internal consistency and repro-ducibility, or the stability of a measure (Lohr 2002).

The reproducibility of the scores when a scale is applied by the same rater (intra-rater), by different raters (inter-rater), or by the same patient at different times (test-retest) (Streiner and Norman 1996) is a very important property of any outcome measure because it is essential to establish that any changes observed in a trial are due to the intervention and not to problems in the measure itself (Bruton et al. 2000). As the random error of an outcome measure increases, the size of the sample required to obtain a precise estimate of the effects in a trial will also increase (Streiner and Nor-man 1996; Bruton et al. 2000).

In addition, two types of reliability have been identified: relative and absolute. Meth-ods based on correlation coefficients and regression analyses provide an indication of relative reliability (Atkinson and Nevill 1998; Bruton et al. 2000). Relative reliability is the degree to which individuals maintain their position in a sample over repeated measurements (Bruton et al. 2000). It is recommended to examine relative reliability by means of an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (Lohr 2002), which reflects both degree of consistency and agreement among ratings for quantitative, continuous data (Bruton et al. 2000). The Kappa statistic for determining agreement between ratings of categorical data can also be used to represent relative reliability (VanSwearingen and Brach 2001). Absolute reliability is the degree to which repeated measurements vary for patients, i.e., the less they vary, the higher the reliability (Bruton et al. 2000). This type of reliability is expressed either in the actual units used in the measurement, or as a proportion of the measured values. Methods used to describe absolute reliability include the standard error of measurements (SEM), coefficient of variation (CV), and limits of agreement (Atkinson and Nevill 1998; Bruton et al. 2000).

Validity

The validity of a measure is defined as the extent to which a measure assesses what it was intended to do (Finch et al. 2002; Lohr 2002). Validity should be considered as a measure validated for use in relation to a specific purpose or a set of purposes, i.e. as a relation between the concept to be measured and the scale used to assess that concept (Fitzpatrick et al. 1998).


Validity has historically been divided into three basic types: content validity, criterion validity, and construct validity (Streiner and Norman 1996). Content validity can be defined as evidence that the domain of a measure is appropriate relative to its intended use (Lohr 2002), i.e. how well a measurement battery covers the important parts of health components to be measured (Fitzpatrick et al. 1998). Face validity, as part of it, refers to whether a measure seems appropriate for the intended purpose (Hays et al. 1993a), i.e. measures are judged at the outset for their relevance (Williams and Naylor 1992). Criterion validity expresses the extent to which a measure provides results consistent with a gold standard (criterion) measure obtained at a similar point in time (concurrent validity) or at a later time (predictive validity). Construct validity establish the validity of a measure when no criterion or universe of content is accepted as entirely adequate to define the attribute being measured. (Streiner and Norman 1996; Lohr 2002.) Content validity usually relies on expert judgments, whereas the criterion and construct validity can be estimated statistically by demonstrating a high correlation between the scale used and a gold standard (criterion validity) or by examining the degree of association between a scale and other widely used measures (construct validity) (Horner and Larmer 2006).

Responsiveness

Responsiveness has been defined as the ability of a measure to detect true change in a patient’s status over time (Finch et al. 2002; Lohr 2002). The terminology applied in the literature on the ability to detect change is confusing, as the term responsiveness is often used interchangeably with sensitivity to change, and no agreement exists on the preferred statistical measure (Finch et al. 2002; Horner and Larmer 2006). An outcome measure may detect statistically significant change (i.e., be sensitive), but the patient or the health profession may not consider that change to be meaningful or important (i.e., interpretation of the change) (Lohr 2002; Horner and Larmer 2006).

The main criteria for responsiveness are: (1) evidence of changes in the scores of a measure; (2) longitudinal data comparing a group that is expected to change with a group that is expected to remain stable; and (3) population(s) on which responsiveness has been tested, including the time intervals between the assessments, interventions or measures involved in evaluating change, and populations assumed to be stable (Lohr 2002).

An integrated system for defining clinically meaningful change that combines anchor-based and distribution-based methods has been recommended (Crosby et al. 2003; Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006). Anchor-based methods focus on the correspond-ence between change in the outcome measure of interest and change in an external criterion (Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006). Longitudinal anchor-based methods are preferable to cross-sectional methods, as the former are more directly linked to change (Crosby et al. 2003). In considering these longitudinal methods, patients self-ratings are especially well suited to assessing perception of change from the individual’s per-


spective and clinicians’ global ratings are the most suitable methods of determining meaningful change from the clinician’s perspective (Crosby et al. 2003; Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006). Distribution-based methods include those based on statisti-cal significance, sample variability, and measurement precision (Crosby et al. 2003). They require statistics which translate before-and after changes into a standard unit of measurement; essentially, they involve dividing the change score by another variance denominator (Lohr 2002; Crosby et al. 2003; Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006).

2.5 Outcome measures in persons with MS (PwMS)2.5.1 Measures related to disease severity

Over the past two decades, outcome measurement of disease severity and MS disability in natural history studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has relied heavily on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (Thompson and Hobart 1998; Hobart 2003). The EDSS (Kurtzke 1983) is a familiar measure, usually performed by a neurolo-gist. It is relatively easy to use, but it has several drawbacks, such as it mixes the measure-ment of different domains, generates ordinal rather than interval measures, and has limited psychometric properties (Sharrack et al. 1999; Hobart et al. 2000; Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000; Hobart 2003). The inter- and intra-observer reliability of the EDSS are modest (Hobart et al. 2000; Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000), especially in the lower echelons of the scale where a more subjective interpretation of symptoms and signs is required (Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000). The predictive validity of short-term changes in the EDSS for long-term, clinically important outcomes has not been evaluated adequately (Wingerchuk and Weinshenker 2000).

Criticisms of the EDSS have resulted in research directed towards the development of new measures, such as the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) (Cutter et al. 1999; Fischer et al. 1999), which is composed of measures of ambulation (timed 25-feet walk), arm and hand function (Nine-Hole Peg test), and cognition (Paced Au-ditory Serial Addition Task). The results obtained from the three individual measures are combined into a single composite score. Studies have found that the MSFC has greater reliability, sensitivity, and statistical validity than the traditional EDSS (Cohen et al. 2000; Kalkers et al. 2000), and it has been found to be better than the EDSS for detecting differences between groups of PwMS (Hobart et al. 2004a).

Other alternative rating scales have been developed, some based solely on a neurologic examination (e.g., Scripps Neurologic Rating Scale), and others combining neurologic examination findings with simple quantitative measures of functioning (e.g., MS Impairment Scale) (Thompson and Hobart 1998). However, these less well-known scales have several features common with the EDSS, and consequently have similar psychometric limitations (Fischer et al. 1999). In addition, clinical measures of dis-ease activity, such as relapse rate, and MRI have been used (Hobart et al. 2004b), but they only address the pathological basis of the disease (Hobart et al. 2004b). Also, the relationship between these measures and long-term clinical outcomes has not been


firmly established (Fischer et al. 1999), and they are inappropriate for a purpose of rehabilitation (Thompson 2000).

2.5.2 Physical functioning measures

Measurement plays an important part in rehabilitation because inferences are based on it (Hobart 2003). For example, in clinical trials different variables are measured, statisti-cal tests are performed on the results generated by outcome measures, and conclusions are drawn. These conclusions influence PwMS care, prescribing, policymaking, and the use of public funds. Thus, the validity of inferences drawn from clinical trials is directly dependent on the quality of the outcome measures used (Hobart 2003).

The evidence base specifically concerning physiotherapy for PwMS is relatively limited (National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions 2004). The intensity and frequency of physiotherapy, as well as realistic treatment goals, i.e. goals which match the specific needs of individual PwMS, should be based on comprehensive and accurate assessment at regular intervals, and be evaluated through appropriate clinical outcome measures (LaBan et al. 1998; Thompson 2000; Schapiro 2002; Kes-selring and Beer 2005). The majority of the MS studies which have been carried out have utilized measures which are inadequate (Thompson and Hobart 1998; Freeman 1999; Thompson 2000).

Several measures have been used in the field of rehabilitation in the assessment of the physical functioning of PwMS (Haigh et al. 2001; National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions 2004). In a recent survey in European rehabilitation units (Haigh et al. 2001), over 100 measures were found to be used to assess PwMS, although the Kurtzke Incapacity Status Scale, Berg Balance Scale and Rivermead Mobility Index were the only measures that were used in more than five centres. However, no Finn-ish rehabilitation units participated in this survey. A review of the measures used in rehabilitation research in PwMS by the Consensus Reference Group of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) showed that over 60 different measures have been used and apart from the EDSS, few have been used on more than 10 occasions (National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions 2004). The most widely used outcome measures in MS rehabilitation RCTs and controlled trials were the EDSS (84 studies), non-specified ADL measures (13 studies), the Hauser Ambulation Index (13 studies), the Ashworth scale (13 studies), the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (12 studies), the Fatigue Severity Scale (11 studies) and the Beck Depression Inventory (10 studies). The NICE group concluded that very little research has been attempted on the utility of different measures in different situations and that no consensus exists as to which measures are the most suitable. Thus, they did not recommend specific measures or assessments. Instead, they suggested that future re-search programmes should be set up to investigate simple measures for routine use.


Systematic review of the outcome measures

To provide a comprehensive overview of the outcome measures used in randomized clinical trials (RCT) of physiotherapy-related interventions for PwMS, a systematic search of the literature was conducted in the following computerized databases: MEDLINE (1966 through January 2007), CINAHL (1982 through March 2007), and EMBASE (1974 through February 2007). Search strategies were developed for each database separately. The main keywords were “Multiple Sclerosis”, “MS” and “De-myelinating Autoimmune Diseases, Central Nervous System”. Several keywords and MeSH relevant to the research question were used to identify physiotherapy-related interventions. Two independent and blinded researchers read and selected papers.

Papers were selected for this review if (a) the study population included PwMS, regard-less of clinical course and level of disability, (b) the effectiveness of physiotherapy was addressed using a RCT, and (c) the study consisted of physiotherapy interventions for cardiovascular fitness, strength and mobility (i.e., balance and gait). Thus, studies on counselling, electrical stimulation for pain, therapy for bladder dysfunction, or envi-ronmental factors (e.g. orthosis) were excluded as were multidisciplinary rehabilitation studies and studies with quality of life as the primary outcome. The methodological quality and levels of evidence of the selected studies were not assessed.

The search identified 49 published RCT studies, of which 17 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The selected papers are presented in Appendix 2. The content of the outcome measures included in the studies was classified according to the ICF and those dealing with neuromusculosceletal and movement-related functions (b710–b799) and mobility (d410–d499) were included in the further analysis.

The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the outcome measures used in physiotherapy RCTs and to explore whether the psychometric properties were de-scribed or defined in the original paper (Appendix 2). The outcomes measures used in these RCTs were identified, classified and linked to the different domains of the ICF. To evaluate whether the measures are standardized outcome measures for PwMS, each outcome measure was assessed for the thoroughness with which its reproducibility has been reported in the literature concerning PwMS (Tables 1 and 2).

This review showed, similarly to that by Hobart (Hobart 2003) and the NICE group (National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions 2004), that surprisingly few studies had taken the next step to determine the implications for clinical trails of their choice of outcome measure. Only few measures have any evaluative data at all on their psychometric properties published in the PwMS studies. In addition to the studies mentioned in Tables 1 and 2, there were several studies in which the results were not separated adequately to report the psychometric properties for PwMS; as measures as the timed 10-m walk, 2-min walk, and Rivermead Mobility Index (Rossier and Wade 2001), the Box and Block Test (Platz et al. 2005), and the Modified Ashworth Scale (Bohannon and Smith 1987).


This review has some limitations: only RCTs were considered in this review, the as-sumption being that in well-designed trials careful attention would be paid to the selection of outcome measures. There are, however, a number of large follow-up and cohort studies which also report outcomes from physiotherapy, and the inclusion of these studies might have highlighted additional outcome domains and measures.

In sum, the reliability of the physical functioning measures included in this review has not previously been fully investigated in the case of PwMS. Thus, there were rather few standardized measures for assessing PwMS. This dearth of published data raises questions about the use of the existing measures for monitoring responses to physio-therapy interventions, despite the widespread use of some of them for these purposes. Only two out of these 32 measures were self-report measures. Contrary to previous findings (Vanderkooy et al. 1999; Haigh et al. 2001; Kay et al. 2001), the focus of the outcome measures was on activities (24 measures), not body functions (8 measures). The measures were located in three domains of the ICF activities component and five domains in the ICF body functions component.


Tabl

e 1.

The

out

com

e m

easu

res

of th

e ac

tiviti

es (n

= 2

4) u

sed

in p

hysi

othe

rapy

RCT

s in

Pw

MS

with

par

ticul

ar re

fere

nce

to th

eir r

epro

duci

bilit

y.

ICF

Dom

ain

Out

com

e m

easu

re

(Ref

eren

ces)

RCT

no in

Appe

ndix

2

Type

of t

he m

easu

reRe

prod

ucib

ility

repo

rted

for P

wM

S

Clin

ical

Self-

repo

rtTe

st-r

etes

t rel

iabi

lity

Inte

r-ra

ter r

elia

bilit

y

Chan

ging

and

mai

ntai

ning

bod

y

posi

tion

(d41

0–d4

29)

�ctiv

ities

-spe

cific

Bal

ance

Con

fiden

ce

(�BC

) Sca

le

(Pow

ell a

nd M

yers

199

5)

14X

ICC

= 0.

92 (9

5% C

I 0.8

0–0.

97);

SEM

= 7

.14

(Cat

tane

o et

al.

2007

)

No

�nte

rior b

alan

ce

(Ste

indl

er 1

995)

1X

No

No

�tax

ia te

st b

atte

ry

(Gra

ybie

l and

Fre

�ly

1966

)

2X

No

No

Ber�

Bal

ance

Sca

le (B

BS)

(Ber

� et

al.

1989

)

5X

ICC

= 0.

96 (9

5% C

I 0.9

1–0.

98);

SEM

= 1

.48

(Cat

tane

o et

al.

2007

)

ICC

= 0.

96 (9

5% C

I 0.9

0–0.

97);

SEM

= 1

.51

(Cat

tane

o et

al.

2007

)

Bew

e�un

�s- u

nd �

oord

inat

ions

test

für

�ur-T

eiln

ehm

er (B

�T-�

ur)

(Bös

and

Wyd

ra 1

984)

12X

No

No

Clin

ical

Tes

t of S

enso

ry In

tera

ctio

n in

Bala

nce

(mCT

SIB)

(Coh

en e

t al.

1993

)

14X

No

No

Equi

libriu

m c

oord

inat

ion

test

s

(no

refe

renc

e)

1X

Not

app

licab

leN

ot a

pplic

able

Equi

scal

e

(Tes

io e

t al.

1997

)

9, 1

4X

Stan

dard

err

or =

0.2

7 as

an

aver

a�e

acro

ss 8

item

s (R

asch

ana

lysi

s)

(Tes

io e

t al.

1997

)

ICC

= 0.

97 (S

teph

ens

et a

l. 20

01)

No

Forc

e pl

atfo

rms

(Bio

GP, �

�T 2

000)

(Car

dini

et a

l. 20

00; H

anse

n et

al.

2000

)

2, 1

2X

No

No


ICF

Dom

ain

Out

com

e m

easu

re

(Ref

eren

ces)

RCT

no in

Appe

ndix

2

Type

of t

he m

easu

reRe

prod

ucib

ility

repo

rted

for P

wM

S

Clin

ical

Self-

repo

rtTe

st-r

etes

t rel

iabi

lity

Inte

r-ra

ter r

elia

bilit

y

Func

tiona

l Rea

ch (F

R) T

est

(Dun

can

et a

l. 19

90)

11X

ICC

= 0.

89 (F

rzov

ic e

t al.

2000

)N

o

Lim

its o

f Sta

bilit

y (L

OS)

test

s

(Cla

rk a

nd R

ose

2001

)

14X

LOS

ICC

= 0

.32–

0.74

for r

eact

ion

time

and

ICC

= 0.

95–0

.97

for m

axim

um

excu

rsio

n (S

teph

ens

et a

l. 20

01)

No

One

-le�

stan

ce

(Boh

anno

n 19

89)

1, 1

7X

Spea

rman

’s rh

o =

0.09

for r

i�ht

sin

�le

le�

stan

ce a

nd =

0.7

0 fo

r lef

t sin

�le

le�

stan

ce (F

rzov

ic e

t al.

2000

)

No

Sens

ory

Or�

aniz

atio

n Te

st (S

OT)

(For

d-Sm

ith e

t al.

1995

)

11X

No

No

Tim

ed G

et U

p an

d G

o (T

UG)

Tes

t

(Pod

siad

lo a

nd R

icha

rdso

n 19

91)

11X

ICC

= 0.

91 (9

5% C

I 0.8

3–0.

95)

(Nils

a�ar

d et

al.

2007

)

No

Fine

han

d us

e

(d44

0)

Box

and

Bloc

k Te

st (B

BT)

(Mat

hiow

etz

et a

l. 19

85b)

9X

No

No

Nin

e-H

ole

Pe�

Test

(9H

PT)

(Mat

hiow

etz

et a

l. 19

85c;

Goo

dkin

et a

l.

1988

)

3, 4

, 17

XN

oN

o

Wal

king

(d45

0)Ti

med

10-

m w

alk

at n

orm

al s

peed

(Wad

e et

al.

1987

; Cra

ik a

nd D

utte

rer

1995

)

5, 1

6X

Pear

son

r = 0

.97

(Hol

den

et a

l. 19

84)

Varia

bilit

y (S

D/m

ean)

= 2

0 ±

8%

(Van

ey e

t al.

1996

)

ICC

= 0.

92 (9

5% C

I 0.8

6–0.

95)

(Nils

a�ar

d et

al.

2007

)

Pear

son

r = 1

.00

(Hol

den

et a

l.

1984

)

Tabl

e 1

cont

inue

s.


Tabl

e 1.

Con

tinue

d.

ICF

Dom

ain

Out

com

e m

easu

re

(Ref

eren

ces)

RCT

no in

Appe

ndix

2

Type

of t

he m

easu

reRe

prod

ucib

ility

repo

rted

for P

wM

S

Clin

ical

Self-

repo

rtTe

st-r

etes

t rel

iabi

lity

Inte

r-ra

ter r

elia

bilit

y

Tim

ed 3

-m, 5

-m a

nd 6

-m w

alk

at n

orm

al s

peed

(Col

len

et a

l. 19

90; O

stro

sky

et a

l. 19

94;

Wor

sfol

d an

d Si

mps

on 2

001)

1, 3

, 17

XN

oN

o

Tim

ed 7

.62

m (2

5 fe

et) w

alk

test

at m

axi-

mum

spe

ed (m

odifi

ed M

SFC)

(Rom

ber�

et a

l. 20

04)

9X

No

No

2-m

in w

alk

test

(But

land

et a

l. 19

82)

16X

No

No

500-

m w

alk

test

(as

fast

as

coul

d)

(Sch

wid

et a

l. 19

97)

9X

No

No

Wal

king

and

mov

-

ing

(d45

0–d4

69)

�mbu

latio

n in

dex

(�I)

(Hau

ser e

t al.

1983

)

1, 1

3X

ICC

= 0.

93 (9

5% C

I 0.7

6–0.

99)

(Sha

rrac

k et

al.

1999

)

�app

a 0.

5–0.

7 (F

ranc

is e

t al.

1991

)

ICC

= 0.

96 (9

5% C

I 0.9

5–0.

99)

(Sha

rrac

k et

al.

1999

)

Func

tiona

l am

bula

tion

cate

�ory

(F�C

scor

e)

(Hol

den

et a

l. 19

84)

17X

No

No

Rive

rmea

d M

obili

ty In

dex

(RM

I)

(Col

len

et a

l. 19

91)

3, 5

, 16,

17

XN

oN

o


Tabl

e 2.

The

out

com

e m

easu

res

of th

e bo

dy fu

nctio

ns (n

= 8

) use

d in

phy

siot

hera

py R

CTs

in P

wM

S w

ith p

artic

ular

refe

renc

e to

thei

r rep

rodu

cibi

lity.

ICF

Dom

ain

Out

com

e m

easu

re

(Ref

eren

ces)

RCT

no in

Appe

ndix

2

Type

of t

he m

easu

reRe

prod

ucib

ility

repo

rted

for P

wM

S

Clin

ical

Self-

repo

rtTe

st-r

etes

t rel

iabi

lity

Inte

r-ra

ter r

elia

bilit

y

Mus

cle

tone

func

tions

(b73

5)

�shw

orth

Sca

le /

Mod

ified

�shw

orth

Sca

le

(�sh

wor

th 1

964;

Boh

anno

n an

d

Smith

198

7)

5, 6

XN

oSi

�nifi

cant

diff

eren

ce

(Nuy

ens

et a

l. 19

94)

Mus

cle

pow

er

func

tions

(b73

0)

Max

imal

isom

etric

torq

ue

(Sur

akka

et a

l. 20

04)

9X

r = 0

.97

(Sur

akka

et a

l. 20

04)

No

Max

imum

vol

unta

ry is

omet

ric

cont

ract

ions

(�nd

res

et a

l. 19

86)

8X

ICC

ran�

in�

betw

een

0.85

–0.9

7

(Sch

wid

et a

l. 19

97)

No

Mot

ricit

y In

dex

(MI)

(Dem

euris

se e

t al.

1980

)

2X

No

No

Mus

cle

endu

ranc

e

func

tions

(b74

0)

Uppe

r ext

rem

ity

endu

ranc

e : w

ei�h

t

liftin

�

(Ryt

okos

ki e

t al.

1997

)

9X

No

No

Cont

rol o

f vol

un-

tary

mov

emen

t

func

tions

(b76

0)

Non

equi

libriu

m c

oord

inat

ion

by k

nee-

heel

test

(no

refe

renc

e)

1X

Not

app

licab

leN

ot a

pplic

able

Gai

t pat

tern

func

tions

(b77

0)

Step

wid

th, l

en�t

h an

d ca

denc

e

(Hol

den

et a

l. 19

84)

1, 5

, 17

XSt

ep le

n�th

: Pea

rson

r =

0.92

–0.9

5

(Hol

den

et a

l. 19

84)

Cade

nce:

Pea

rson

r =

0.98

(Hol

den

et a

l. 19

84)

Step

len�

th: P

ears

on r

= 0.

90–1

.00

(Hol

den

et a

l. 19

84)

Cade

nce:

Pea

rson

r =

0.95

(Hol

den

et a

l. 19

84)

Rive

rmea

d Vi

sual

Gai

t �ss

essm

ent

(RVG

�)

(Lor

d et

al.

1998

a)

5X

No

No


3 AIMS OF THIS STUDY

General aims of this study were to evaluate the level of physical functioning in PwMS, and to investigate the psychometric properties and clinical usefulness of physical functioning measures in the ICF framework for use in ambulatory PwMS. The specific aims of the study were (Roman numerals refer to original publications):

1. to describe the impact of MS on PwMS performance in physical function-ing, particularly in the domains of self-care, mobility and domestic life in a population-based survey in Central Finland (I)

2. to assess the reproducibility of selected physical functioning measures in ambulatory PwMS in terms of (a) test-retest reliability and (b) inter-rater reli-ability (II); and to assess the feasibility of the physical functioning measures during the test-retest study

3. to identify the most important predictors of performance in self-care, mobil-ity, and domestic life in ambulatory PwMS by studying the cross-sectional associations of physical functioning measures with self-rated performance (III)

4. to provide estimates of responsiveness for physical functioning measures dur-ing a 2-year prospective longitudinal study (IV) by (a) providing evidence on changes in the scores of the physical functioning measures, and (b) examining clinically significant deterioration in the physical functioning measures in re-lation both to PwMS’ perceived change in health and to a clinician’s rating.


4 MATERIAL AND METHODS4.1 Subjects and study design

A population-based sample of 240 PwMS participated in the physical functioning survey (I) and of these, a cohort of 120 ambulatory PwMS participated in the 2-year prospective longitudinal study to conduct a psychometric evaluation of the selected physical functioning measures (III–IV). In addition, a sample of 19 PwMS and 9 PwMS participated in the test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability studies (II), respectively. The study design was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Central Finland Health Care District. The WHO’s International Classification of Function-ing, Disability, and Health (ICF) formed the framework for the selection of all the measures and data used in the present thesis.

4.1.1 Reliability studies of selected outcome measures (II)

The repeated-measures design was used to examine the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the selected physical functioning measures (II) and to evaluate the fea-sibility of those.

The participants were recruited from the Department of Neurology at the hospital of Central Finland. To be included, PwMS had to have clinically definite MS according to Poser’s criteria (Poser et al. 1983), be able to walk at least 20 metres with or without a walking aid according to the EDSS (score ≤ 6.5), be in a stable clinical state, have visited a physician within three months of inclusion, and be living within 60 kilometres from Jyväskylä. A sample of 20 PwMS (the first enrolled) was invited to participate in the test-retest reliability study. One dropped out after the first assessment session for work-related reason, and thus 19 PwMS participated in the test-retest reliability study. In the inter-rater reliability study the first nine PwMS enrolled after a visit to a physician were recruited. The demographic and MS-related characteristics of PwMS are presented in Table 3. All the participants gave their written informed consent to participate in the study.

For the test-retest reliability study, each PwMS participated in three assessment ses-sions in a hospital department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at one-week intervals. Each PwMS was examined at the same time of day and on the same day of the week by the same physiotherapist. The measures were administered in the same order each time and a detailed protocol that included precise, standardized instruc-tions was used. Rest breaks were given, as needed, both within and between measures. The safety and feasibility of this set of outcome measures were examined during the test-retest reliability study. After the test-retest reliability study, the measures were re-evaluated and minor modifications made to the instructions and to the measures used, as described later in the methods section.


Table 3. Demographic and MS-related characteristics of PwMS in reliability studies (II). Reproduced with the kind

permission of John Wiley and Sons Limited.

Test-retest reliability(n = 19)

Inter-rater reliability(n = 9)

Women n (%)Men n (%)

9 (47.4%)10 (52.6%)

6 (66.7%)3 (33.3%)

��e (years) # 2.7 ± 9.2 (24–58) 48.9 ± 8.8 (34–58)

Clinical course of MSRelapsin� remittin� n (%)Secondary pro�ressive n (%)Primary pro�ressive n (%)

14 (73.7%)2 (10.5%)3 (15.8 %)

5 (55.6%)2 (22.2%)2 (22.2%)

Disease duration since dia�nosis (years) # 5.8 ± 5.7 (1–19) 9.3 ± 8.3 (1–24)

EDSS score0.0–1.5 n (%)2.0–3.5 n (%)4.0–6.5 n (%)

4 (21.1%)11 (57.8%)

4 (21.1%)

2 (22.2%)3 (33.3%)4 (44.5%)

Users of walkin� aid n (%) 5 (26.3%) 4 (44.5%)

# Mean ± SD (ran�e).MS = multiple sclerosis, SD = standard deviation, EDSS = Expanded Disability Status Scale.

The procedure was the same for the inter-rater reliability study except that each PwMS was examined in two sessions by two physiotherapists (one session to each). Both examiners were fully qualified physiotherapists, but one (JP) had much greater experience of clinical neurological assessment than the other examiner. The order of measuring by the two examiners was reversed for half of the participants to control for order effects, such as familiarity with the examiner or with the procedure.

4.1.2 Population-based survey of physical functioning in PwMS (I)

The participants for this study were obtained through an epidemiological survey in the Central Finland Health Care District carried out in the year 2000 (Sarasoja et al. 2004). At that time there were 30 local municipalities with several subregional units in the Central Finland health care district, which covered the whole area of Central Finland region. The geographical location of the region under study is shown in Figure 2.

The potential participants were collected from the Hospital Discharge Registry, and included all 277 PwMS living in the Central Finland region (population 263,886) in the year 2000 who had a definite diagnosis of MS according to a Poser’s criteria (Poser et al. 1983).The prevalence rate was 105/100,000 (Sarasoja et al. 2004). In this population-based cohort 73 PwMS were resident in Jyväskylä, fewer than ten PwMS came from 23 of the 30 municipalities while only one small local municipality had no PwMS.


• JYVÄSKYLÄ

FINLAND• JYVÄSKYLÄ

• JYVÄSKYLÄ

• Helsinki

• Paris

• London

• Moscow

Figure 2. Geographical location of the Central Finland region with its subregional units specified.

Eleven of the prevalent cases were excluded from this study on ethical grounds: six because the PwMS seemed unaware of the MS diagnosis, and five who had not contacted the Central Hospital of Jyväskylä. Finally, 266 PwMS were eligible for this survey (Figure 3). Data were collected by a postal questionnaire, which was returned by pre-paid mail. If no correspondence was received within 2 weeks, a second ques-tionnaire was sent. The respondents were instructed to answer the questionnaire by themselves, or if needed, to get help filling it in. They were also instructed to call the researcher if they had any queries. Of them, 240 persons returned the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 90%. Answers were obtained from every municipality with MS and in 16 out of 30 municipalities the response rate was 100%. The characteristics of the prevalent cases and participants of this survey are presented in Table 4.

4.1.3 Prospective 2-year longitudinal study of physical functioning in a cohort of ambula-tory PwMS (III–IV)

The single-group design method was used in this study. The potential participants for this study were PwMS from the previous population-based survey of physical functioning (I) whose diagnosis of MS has been confirmed prior to 1st August 2000 by a neurologist (n = 199). To be eligible for participation in the present study, PwMS had to be able to move independently, walk at least 20 m with bilateral assistance (EDSS ≤ 6.5) and have no major additional diseases (e.g., a major musculoskeletal disorder) that would affect their ability to perform the tests. Overall 143 PwMS met these criteria, 46 were ineligible due to the walking criteria and 10 had a major ad-ditional disease.

A plain language statement inviting participation and outlining the aims and test requirements of the study was mailed to all the 143 PwMS who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Those who were willing to participate returned a form to the hospital in a


pre-paid envelope. On this form they gave their contact information and the best days and times to contact them. A total of 120 PwMS volunteered to participate in the study (Figure 3). All the participants gave their written informed consent before entering the study.

A 2-year follow-up study was conducted in order to identify which of the physical functioning factors in the ICF activities and body functions components predict self-reported performance in mobility, self-care and domestic life in ambulatory PwMS, and to provide estimates of responsiveness for a variety of physical functioning measures in ambulatory PwMS. Each participant attended three assessment sessions over the period September 2000 to December 2002. Measurement sessions were separated by nearly one year in order to minimize the effect of season on functioning. At time of each measurement, the participants had to be stable in their MS, with no ongoing relapse. All the measures were conducted in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the hospital of Central Finland by two physiotherapists. Each session included self-report questionnaires and clinical measures of physical func-tioning. The examiners used a detailed protocol that included precise, standardized instructions. The measures were administered in the same order during each testing session, as in the inter-rater reliability study (II). Rest breaks were given, as needed, both within and between measures. The same experienced neurologist obtained all of the participants’ EDSS scores every year prior to or within three days following the physical functioning test session.

The cross-sectional data of 120 PwMS at the baseline were used in study III. Eleven participants were subsequently lost to follow-up (one died, and 10 dropped out because of some obstacle to continuing their participation). In all, 109 PwMS (91%) completed the 2-year follow-up study (IV).

The characteristics of the 120 PwMS at baseline (III) are presented in Table 4. Ap-proximately half of the participants (n = 62) had had MS symptoms for over 10 years. Disease severity, as assessed with the EDSS, varied from a score of 0 to 6.5 (median = 2.0). Overall, 40 participants had no disability (EDSS score 0–1.5), 47 had mild dis-ability (EDSS score 2.0–3.5), and 33 had moderate disability (EDSS score 4.0–6.5). Twenty-seven PwMS reported permanent use of a walking aid outdoors. Self-reported time from previous relapse was over 1 month in all cases and in most cases over 6 months (79%). Sixty-two PwMS did not use any medication for MS, while 20 used symptomatic medication, e.g. for spasticity, bladder symptoms, pain and fatigue, and 38 received disease-modifying therapies either alone (n = 29) or with symptomatic medication (n = 9). Of the PwMS, 52 were retired, 55 were working full- or part-time (including students), and the rest of 13 were either unemployed or otherwise not working. Forty PwMS reported having an additional disease.


Excluded: EDSS ≥ 7 (n = 46)Excluded: another disease (n = 10)Refused to participate (n = 23)

Excluded for ethical reasons (n = 11)

PwMS in the Central Finland health care district 2000Population of MS subjects (n = 277)

Prevalence rate 105/100,000

Postal questionnaire sent (n = 266)

Non-respondents(n = 26)

Prospective study of physical functioningin a cohort of ambulatory PwMS

(III n = 120, IV n = 109)

MS diagnosis confirmedprior to 1st Aug 2000 (n = 199)

Population-based survey (I)(n= 240)

Test-retest reliability (n = 19)and inter-rater (n = 9) reliability

studies (II)

Figure 3. Flow chart of participant recruitment. Reproduced with the kind permission of the American Physical

Therapy Association.

Table 4. Overview of the characteristics of the PwMS in study groups I, III and IV.

Prevalence cases of definite MS in 2000(Saraso�a et al. 2004)

PwMS in the questionnaire study

(I)

Ambulatory PwMS a)

included in the physical functioning study

(III, IV)

No of PwMS 277 240 120

Women n (%)Men n (%)

198 (71.5%) 79 (28.5%)

179 (74.6%) 61 (25.4%)

90 (75.0%) 30 (25.0%)

��e (years) # 48.2 ± 12.3 (18–78) 48.2 ± 11.9 (20–76) 45.0 ± 10.8 (20–71)

Clinical course of MS Primary remittin� b)

Primary pro�ressiveUnknown

225 (81.2%) 51 (18.4%) 1 (0.4%)

196 (81.7%) 43 (17.9%) 1 (0.4%)

106 (88.3%) 13 (10.9%) 1 (0.8%)

Years since onset c) # 15.9 ± 10.7 (0–56) 15.8 ± 10.7 (0–56) 12.3 ± 8.8 (1–39)

Years since dia�nosis # 10.5 ± 9.0 (0–42) 10.4 ± 8.7 (0–42) 7.1 ± 6.2 (0–26)

# Mean ± SD (ran�e).a) �mbulatory PwMS; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 6.5.b) Primary remittin�, includin� relapsin�-remittin� MS (RRMS), and secondary-pro�ressive MS (SPMS).c) Date of onset defined as the time of the first appearance of neurolo�ical si�ns and symptoms attributable to the disease.


4.2 Methods4.2.1 Population-based survey (I)

Data were collected by a postal questionnaire and from medical records. The question-naire contained closed and open-ended questions on sociodemographic characteristics, and on the body functions, activities and participation component of the ICF.

The sociodemographic characteristics taken into account were sex, age, type of hous-ing (own apartment or health centre ward), level of education (secondary education with practical courses, vocational education or university education), medication (no medication, disease-modifying therapies or symptom-specific therapies), presence of additional diseases, outpatient physiotherapy, and the use of walking aids (cane, crutch, walker) or wheelchair.

The medical records of the PwMS were reviewed by a neurologist to obtain clinical characteristics: date of symptoms onset, year of diagnosis of MS and clinical course of the disease (Sarasoja et al. 2004). The date of onset, i.e., the time of the first appearance of neurological signs and symptoms attributable to the disease, was used to define disease duration, which was later classified into five groups (0–4.9 years, 5.0–9.9 years, 10.0–14.9 years, 15.0–19.9 years, and ≥ 20.0 years). The clinical course of the disease was defined as primary remitting (RRMS or SPMS) or primary progressive (PPMS).

Symptoms of MS. The PwMS were asked to report three major symptoms which had an impact on their daily life. The question was open-ended and the answers were classified into 1) no symptoms or signs of MS and 2) at least one symptom having an impact on daily life.

Walking and moving around (a450–469) were examined with two questionnaires. First, a 5-point rating scale modified from the questionnaire by Goodin (Goodin 1998) was used to assess mobility level, i.e., the PwMS ability to walk or move around in his or her current environment, with a walking aid if needed. The mobility level scale was as follows: 1) no to moderate MS symptoms and able to walk without any problem; 2) some difficulties in walking but able to walk unaided up to 500 meters; 3) requires an aid (e.g. cane, crutch, walker) to walk about 100 meters; 4) uses a wheelchair regularly; and 5) confined to bed most of the time. Secondly, walking capacity without assist-ance was assessed using the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ), which was originally designed to measure community-walking ability in patients with peripheral arterial disease (Regensteiner et al. 1990). Only the WIQ distance score was used in this survey. The scores (No, Some, Much, Did not do) and the questions on distances in feet were translated into Finnish and given in metric units. Eight different distances ranging from walking indoors around the home (5 m) to walking several blocks (1000 m) were used. The PwMS was asked to report the degree of difficulty of walking each distance without a walking aid during the previous two months, selecting from one of four response categories ranging from 0 (not able to walk) to 3 (no difficulty at


all). The responses were transformed to obtain percentage scores from 0 (no walking ability at all) to 100 (no walking difficulties over the different distances).

Self-care (a510–a599), domestic life (household tasks p630–p649, acquisition of goods and services p620; and taking care of plants, indoors and outdoors p6505), and vigorous activities (sports p9201). Perceived difficulties in self-care (e.g. eating, dressing or bathing) were examined with one question and in domestic life with three questions (e.g. household tasks, doing errands and gardening) drawn from the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ) (Jette et al. 1986), which reflects former P-ADL and I-ADL, respectively. Participation in vigorous activities was examined with one question from the FSQ. The PwMS graded their perceived difficulties during the pre-vious two months on a 5-point rating scale: “usually did with no difficulty”, “usually did with some difficulty”, “usually did with much difficulty (i.e. required some aid or assistance)”, “usually did not do because of MS”, and “usually did not do for other reasons”. The calculation of the FSQ score, which ranged between 0 (fully dependent) and 100 (fully independent), was transformed according to published algorithms (Jette et al. 1986). Perceived difficulties in domestic life were subsequently divided into two classes: 1) no restriction in participation (FSQ in domestic life between 66 and 100) and 2) restriction in participation (FSQ in domestic life between 0–65).

Remunerative employment (p850). Employment status was assessed as either en-gaged in working life (full- or part-time employment, unemployed, student, house-wife/husband, on sick leave) or as retired (full- or part-time disability pension or old age pension).

4.2.2 Outcome measures in the physical functioning studies (II, III, IV)

The selection of the outcomes and measures was based on the recommendations made by an international consensus meeting held in 1997 by the American National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Rudick et al. 1997). They recommended that MS clinical outcome measures should: (a) be multidimensional in order to reflect the principal ways in which MS may affect an individual; (b) have high reliability; (c) should be sensitive to changes in disease progression; (d) provide interval data rather than categorical or ordinal data; and (e) focus on neurologic impairment and disability rather than handicap or quality of life. In this study the selection of physical functioning measures was based on the following procedure. First, the relevant ICF domains for ambulatory PwMS were identified. Sec-ond, of the available measures, the most appropriate existing generic or disease-specific measure for each domain was selected on the basis of a good level of appropriateness, standardization and reliability, as found in previous studies. For selection purposes, studies on MS or other related disorders, or on adult health populations were taken. Third, if possible, the measures needed to be quantitative as there is a lack of sensi-tive and specific operational definitions of grades, such as mild, moderate and severe.


Another criterion was that the measures could be used in almost any clinical setting with minimal to moderate equipment, cost or special requirements.

In the present study (II–IV), performance (i.e., what individuals do in their current environment) in the activities and participation component was assessed by self-re-portedscores in self-care, mobility and domestic life. Capacity, indicating the highest probable level of physical functioning that a subject may attain in a given activity domain at a given moment, and body functions were assessed by quantitative clinical outcome measures. The constructs of these measures were linked to the ICF, and the physical functioning variables used in this study were drawn from the ICF activities and body functions categories (9 and 14 variables, respectively). Figure 4 provides a description of the ICF framework adopted in the study.

Performance in the self-care, mobility, and domestic life domains in the activities and participation component

The Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ). Performance regarding self-care (d510–d560), mobility (d450–d475) and domestic life (d610-d640) were assessed by self-reported scores from the FSQ (Jette et al. 1986) (III, IV). The aim of the FSQ is to describe what persons do in their current environment, i.e., describe restrictions in their performance. Only FSQ items that assess aspects of physical function were included. They were found to cover several activity and participation domains, thus making it difficult to distinguish between activities and participation. The ICF manual offer four alternative options for structuring the relationship between activities and participation (WHO 2001). For the purposes of the present study it was decided to link the FSQ items for both activities and participation, thus allowing total overlap of the domains (option 4).

A Finnish language version of the FSQ was constructed in several steps. First, the origi-nal physical function items were updated to correspond to the most recent evidence. Second, a researcher translated the FSQ items into Finnish. Third, the selected items were reclassified to enable each item to be linked to the ICF activities and participation component. This was done independently by the researcher and other professional familiar with the ICF. A reconciled form was developed and a native English speaker who was fluent in Finnish then translated it back into English. This was compared to the English FSQ items by the researcher. The result was a four-item scale for self-care (washing d510; toileting d530; dressing d540; and eating d550), a five-item scale for mobility (walking inside d4600; climbing stairs d4551; walking ½ km distances d4500; driving a car d475; and using public transportation d470) and a five-item scale for domestic life (preparing meals d630; washing clothes d6400; cleaning the house d640; acquisition of goods and services d620; and taking care of plants, indoors and outdoors d6505).


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Self-reported difficulty performing the self-care, mobility, and domestic life items dur-ing the past month was scored on the FSQ as follows: “usually did with no difficulty”, “usually did with some difficulty”, “usually did with much difficulty (i.e. required some aid or assistance)”, “usually did not do because of MS”, and “usually did not do for other reasons”. The calculation of each FSQ score was transformed according to published algorithms (Jette et al. 1986). The FSQ score ranges between 0 and 100, with 0 representing fully dependent and 100 fully independent performances. The reliability of the original FSQ scales has been found to be high across a wide range of settings and patient populations (Jette et al. 1986; Murphy et al. 1998; Cleary and Jette 2000).

Clinical measures of the activities (capacity)

The domains measured were fine hand use (a440), changing and maintaining body posi-tions (a410–a429) and walking (a450) (see Figure 4), using following six measures:

The Box and Block Test (BBT), a measure of unilateral gross manual dexterity, was administered using the procedure standardized by Mathiowetz et al. (1985b). This test consists of moving, one by one, as many blocks as possible from one compartment of a box to another of equal size, within 60 seconds. The score was the number of blocks moved using the dominant (II–IV) and the non-dominant hand (II) in 1 minute. Inter- rater reliability has been reported for healthy adults (Mathiowetz et al. 1985b), and test-retest reliability for healthy adults (Mathiowetz et al. 1985b), for elderly persons with upper limb impairment (Desrosiers et al. 1994), and for persons with neurologic disabilities (Carey et al. 2002; Platz et al. 2005; Svensson and Hager-Ross 2006).

The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a 14-item measure for individuals with some degree of balance impairment (Berg et al. 1989). Each item is scored on a 5-point scale, from 0 (cannot perform) to 4 (normal performance). Tandem standing and single-leg standing were noted as the 2 most difficult items, but the original instructions do not define the leg that the participant used (Berg et al. 1989). This might be a cause of variability, especially in a disease like MS. Thus, as exceptions to the standard instructions, the tandem stance and one leg stance were performed on both legs. The poorest score was taken for the analyses on the grounds that in daily activities it is not possible to rely only on the better leg (II–IV). The total score ranged from 0–56. Inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability have been reported for older adults and for clients with stroke (Berg et al. 1992 and 1995).

The Kela Coordination Test, a measure developed by Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) (Vaara 2003) consists of two parts: walking forward and backward on a narrow plank (width 9 cm and height 4 cm) and performing a series of steps on a track. The time (in seconds) taken to complete the task was measured, and the number of possible errors (stepping off the plank or outside the marks) were counted (II–IV). It is designed to assess body use and body movements, especially co-ordination


and dynamic balance, in people with no evident balance problems. The reliability of time and error counting has been assessed in a group of middle-aged healthy adults (Vaara 2003).

Postural stability by the force platform. The tests were performed on a Good Balance force platform [Metitur Ltd, Jyväskylä, Finland] (Era et al. 1996 and 2006). PwMS stand feet 20 cm apart with eyes open and with eyes closed (II–IV). Two additional stance conditions (feet together with eyes open and with eyes closed) were used in the inter-rater reliability study (II). Voluntary arm movement was suppressed by having the PwMS standing with their hands on their hips. Sway during a 30-second period was recorded and the median velocity (velocity moment; mm2/s) was analyzed as the outcome. Test-retest reliability has been reported for healthy adults (Hoffman 1998; Mustalampi et al. 2003) and for patients after ACL reconstruction (Mustalampi et al. 2003).

10-meter walk test (10MWT) speed. Time needed to walk a distance of 10 meters was measured by photocells [Newtest, Oulu, Finland] at normal gait speed (“own speed”) and maximum gait speed (“fast as possible”) (Craik and Dutterer 1995; Finch et al. 2002). The time (s) taken (III) and the velocities (m/s) calculated (II, IV) were analyzed as the outcome. Two meters were allowed for acceleration and deceleration. The measure was done with PwMS wearing their shoes and using their usual ambu-latory aid. Reliability has been assessed in many different studies for healthy adults and persons with neurologic disabilities (Wade et al. 1987; Liston and Brouwer 1996; Bohannon 1997; Rossier and Wade 2001; Finch et al. 2002; Horemans et al. 2004), and for PwMS (Schwid et al. 1999).

6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance. The 6MWT was conducted as described by Guyatt et al. (1984 and 1985) except that only one walk was performed. PwMS were instructed to walk from one end to the other of a 100 meter hallway at their own pace while attempting to cover as much distance as possible in the allotted 6 minutes. They were told that they may rest if they become too short of breath or tired to continue, but to resume walking when they are able to do so. While administering the test, the supervisor walked slightly behind and not beside the PwMS so to avoid influencing the subject’s self-selected walking pace. The PwMS were encouraged with a standard set of encouraging statements every one minute. The standard statements were (1) “You’re doing well” and (2) “Keep going on, only X minutes to go”. The measure was done with participants wearing their shoes and using their usual ambulatory aid. The distance walked during the 6MWT was recorded to the nearest 10 m covered (II–IV). Test-retest reliability has been assessed in many different studies for elderly (Harada et al. 1999; King et al. 2000) and for persons with different diseases (Finch et al. 2002).


Clinical measures of the body functions

The domains measured were exercise tolerance functions (b455), gait pattern functions (b770), muscle power functions (b730), muscle endurance functions (b740), muscle tone functions (b735), and sensation of muscle stiffness (b780) (see Figure 4), using the fol-lowing seven measures:

Exercise tolerance during the 6MWT. Three different exercise tolerance variables were measured during the 6MWT (II–IV). Rating of perceived exertion (the 15-grade RPE) (Borg 1970) during the last 10 seconds of the 6MWT was noted. Heart rate (HR) in beats per minute was recorded at rest and every 2 minutes during the 6MWT using the Polar Heart Rate Monitor. The resting rate was established during a 15-minute period while subject rested on a seat. Maximum heart rate (HRmax) at the end of the test and HR change (HR at 6 min – HR at rest) were recorded. The Physiological Cost Index (PCI, beats/m) (Nene 1993) was calculated by dividing the difference HR while

walking – HR at rest (beats/min) by walking speed (m/min). The Heart Rate Monitors us-ing chest electrodes (e.g., Polar) are considered to be reliable during physical stressful conditions (Achten and Jeukendrup 2003). Test-retest reliability of the PCI has been reported for healthy adults (Nene 1993; Bailey and Ratcliffe 1995; Graham et al. 2005), for children with cerebral palsy (Ijzerman and Nene 2002), and for persons with paraplegia (Ijzerman et al. 1999). In addition, inter-rater reliability has been studied in healthy adults (Graham et al. 2005).

Spatiotemporal parameters during the 10MWT. Gait pattern functions were meas-ured at the participant’s normal speed 10MWT (II–IV). Actual step lengths were meas-ured by the method described by Kokko et al. (1997). Each PwMS was asked to walk at his or her own speed on a plastic mat. Water-soluble markers were placed on both shoe heels. Each heel strike of the PwMS left a trace on the mat and thus step lengths could be measured. Mean stride lengths (cm) and cadence (steps/min) were calculated afterwards. In addition, the walk ratio (m/steps per min) (Sekiya and Nagasaki 1998) was calculated as a speed-independent index of gait pattern for describing temporal and spatial co-ordination. Test-retest reliability of the stride length and cadence us-ing current method has not been reported, but it has been assessed in children and adults using a comparable footprint analysis method (Stolze et al. 1998) and in PwMS (Holden et al. 1984). Test-retest reliability of walk ratio has been reported for healthy adults (Sekiya and Nagasaki 1998).

Grip strength was measured using a Jamar dynamometer [Preston, Mississippi, U.S.A] following the instructions of the American Society of Hand Therapists (Mathiowetz et al. 1985a). Grip width was adjusted for each subject. The best result out of three trials using the right hand (III, IV) or both hands (II) was taken for the analysis. The reliability of isometric grip strength measure taken with the Jamar dynamometer has been well established in healthy individuals, but studies of different disease groups are rare. Test-retest reliability for patients with cervical radiculopathy has been reported (Peolsson et al. 2001)


Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors. A custom-built dy-namometer chair modified from a David 200 dynamometer (Häkkinen et al. 1995) was used to measure maximal isometric unilateral force in the test-retest reliability study (II) or bilateral force in the other studies (II–IV). The measure was conducted in the sitting position with the hips fixed on the dynamometer seat for a knee flexion angle of 100o. The PwMS were asked to exert maximal force as rapidly as possible and to maintain that force about 4–5 s. The ankle was attached to the support just above the malleoli. Three maximal isometric contractions with a 30-second rest period between each were performed. The best result out of three MVCs was taken for the analysis. The isometric forces were analysed using the Isopack program [Newtest Ltd, Oulu, Finland], and the maximum strength in kilograms was calculated. The reliability of isometric MVCs has been reported in healthy men (Viitasalo et al. 1980; Sipilä et al. 1991).

The repetitive endurance tests of the Invalid Foundation of Finland were used to assess muscle endurance of the upper and lower extremities (Alaranta et al. 1994). We used alternative dumbbell presses by standard weights (5 kilos for female participants and 10 kilos for male participants) to measure the endurance of the upper extremi-ties. If necessary, the weights were adjusted for each participant, and that weight was used throughout the study. The participant stood feet 15 cm apart and elbows bent with a dumbbell in each hand, raised the right hand dumbbell upwards, and then returned it to the initial position. The same movement was done with the left hand and the alternate right and left movements were repeated as many times as possible at a constant rate (44 times per minute). In the results the number of repetitions was calculated (II) or the number of repetitions was multiplied by the weights (kg) lifted (III, IV). The muscle endurance of the lower extremities was assessed by the number of squats performed (II–IV). The participant stood feet 15 cm apart, performed a squat such that both thighs were horizontal, and then returned to a standing position. The movement was repeated as many times as possible at a constant rate (44 times per minute), and the number of repetitions was calculated. Test-retest reliability of repeti-tive squatting has been reported for healthy adults (Alaranta et al. 1994).

The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The muscle tone of 4 muscle groups on each side of the body (m.biceps and triceps brachii, m.flexors of the knee and m.quadriceps femoris) were tested by the 6-point MAS (Bohannon and Smith 1987). The PwMS were tested in the supine position except for the quadriceps femoris muscle for which the patient was prone position. To minimize changes in muscle tone as a consequence of movements, the number of stretches was limited to the minimum. In most cases, the raters were able to provide a score after two or three stretches of each muscle group. The combined upper- and lower-limb spasticity score (0–20) was the sum of the scores for the individual muscles (II–IV). Test-retest reliability has been studied in persons with stroke (Blackburn et al. 2002). Inter-rater reliability for PwMS (Nuyens et al. 1994) and for other neurological deficits (Bohannon and Smith 1987; Blackburn et al. 2002) has been reported.


The passive straight leg raise (SLR) test (Gajdosik et al. 1993), assessing hamstring muscle flexibility was added to the outcome measures after the test-retest study. In the SLR the PwMS was positioned supine, the left thigh was stabilized flat against surface and the examiner’s left hand was placed over the distal anterior aspect of the right thigh to ensure that the knee remained at full extension. The examiner elevated the participant’s right leg with her right hand until firm resistance was felt and the subject confirmed that the full SLR had been reached. The same movement was done with the left leg. The ankles remained relaxed in plantarflexion during all tests. The angles (degrees) of the SLR in both legs were measured using a Dualer electronic inclinometer [JTECH, Midvale, UT, USA]. The result for both the right and left side (II-inter-rater reliability study) or only the right side were taken for the analysis (III, IV). Test-retest reliability for SLR has been studied in healthy adults (Harju et al. 1991; Hunt et al. 2001).

In addition, in the test-retest reliability study (II) the domain of involuntary movement reaction functions (b765) was measured by the shoulder tug test (Pastor et al. 1993). The PwMS stood with feet 10 cm apart, the examiner delivered a brief backwards tug to the shoulders, and graded the participant’s response to the external perturbation on a scale ranging from 1 to 5. The measure was excluded from the latter parts of the study owing to poor test-retest agreement found.

Health Condition

Disease severity, clinical course, and disease duration from symptom onset and from diagnosis were confirmed by a neurologist (TS) (II–IV). Disease severity was assessed using the EDSS scale (Kurtzke 1983), which is based on neurological examination of 7 functional systems (pyramidal, cerebellar, cerebral, sensory, brain stem, visual, and bowel and bladder) and walking ability. It grades disease severity due to MS on a continuum from 0 (normal neurological function) to 10 (death due to MS) in 0.5-point increments. It addresses impairment (symptoms and signs) at the lower levels (0–3.5), mobility in the middle range (4.0–7.5), and upper limb (8.0–8.5) and bulbar function (9.0–9.5) at the higher levels (Hobart 2003). In this study PwMS were categorized into three levels of disease severity: no disability (EDSS score 0–1.5), minimal disability (EDSS score 2.0–3.5), and moderate disability (EDSS score 4.0–6.5). The clinical course of the disease was defined as primary remitting (RRMS or SPMS) or primary progressive (PPMS). The interval from the previous relapse was recorded as reported by the PwMS (III, IV).

Contextual Factors

Sociodemographic data obtained by the questionnaire and face-to-face interview were used as descriptive variables (II–IV) and independent variables (III) as neces-


sary. These data included sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and other diseases from the personal factors, and medication, drugs and use of walking aids from the envi-ronmental factors.

Fatigue and depressive symptoms

The impact of MS-related fatigue during the past month (III, IV) was assessed by the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), which provides an assessment of the effects of fatigue in terms of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning (Multiple Sclerosis Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines 1998). The MFIS consists of 21 statements that describe the effects of fatigue. The respondents self-rated how often fatigue had affected them in the described way during the past four weeks. The total MFIS score ranges from 0 (no fatigue) to 84 (maximum fatigue), with cut-off values of 38 (Flachenecker et al. 2002). The forward-backward translation process was used to translate the Finnish version of the MFIS used in the present study. Two transla-tors independently translated the MFIS into the target language and a reconciled translation was developed. A native English speaker who was fluent in Finnish then translated the reconciled form back into English, and the result was compared against the original English MFIS by the researcher. Good reproducibility for the MFIS has been demonstrated in PwMS, with no significant differences being noted between the Belgian, Italian, Slovenian or Spanish versions of the scale (Kos et al. 2005).

Depressive symptoms during the past week was assessed by the Center of Epide-miologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (Radloff 1977). The CES-D is a 20-item self-report rating scale in which the respondents are asked to rate the frequency of 20 symptoms over past week by choosing one of four response categories, ranging from 0 (rarely or none of the time) to 3 (most of all the time). The total score ranges from 0 to 60. A cut-off score of 16 has been recommended for indicating a clinically significant level of depressive symptoms and a score of 21 or higher has been found to indicate major depression. (Radloff 1977; Weissman et al. 1977). A Finnish version of the CES-D reported in the Nordic Research on Ageing study (Heikkinen et al. 1997) was used in the present study. The original CES-D has been shown to be reliable and valid among PwMS (Verdier-Taillefer et al. 2001), and it has previously been used in a MS study (Chwastiak et al. 2002).

In this study the items of the MFIS and CES-D were linked to the most precise ICF categories by two independent assessors (the same ones as for the FSQ), and were found to address several components and domains. Thus, as the focus in the present study was on physical functioning, fatigue and depressive symptoms were used as covariates in the cross-sectional study (III). In addition, the MFIS was used to assess the feasibility and safety of the set of measures (II). In the test-retest reliability study the instructions were modified so that the PwMS reported how often fatigue had af-fected him/her in a particular way before the first measurement and during the week following each of the three measurement sessions. In the present study, the test-retest


reliability of the Finnish version of the MFIS was found to be high (ICC 0.91 with a SEM of 6.1 points) (II).

External criterion in the responsiveness study (IV)

To determine whether a participant’s score had changed (IV), two external criteria were applied: (1) the participant’s perception of change by a single item of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (Hays et al. 1993b) that indicates perceived change in health; and (2) the change in EDSS scores, representing the perspective of the clinician. The RAND-36 item used was: “Compared to one year ago, how would your rate your health in general now?” Participants rated their perceived change on a 5-point Likert-type scale: “much better now than one year ago”, “somewhat better now than one year ago”, “about the same”, “somewhat worse now than one year ago”, and “much worse now than one year ago”.

4.3 Statistical analysis

Data were analysed using SPSS versions 11.0, 13.0 and 14.0 for Windows. Frequencies and descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations [SDs], 95% confidence intervals [CIs], ranges) were used to obtain the demographic data. Complete data were not ob-tained for all the PwMS. Owing to occasional missing data, the sample size for each statistical procedure varies somewhat. The level of significance was set as 0.05.

4.3.1 Population-based survey (I)

On the basis of the questionnaire a series of descriptive analyses were undertaken to explore functioning. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse differences between re-spondents, nonrespondents and excluded PwMS, between the PwMS grouped accord-ing to mobility level, and between disease duration groups. The differences between the symptoms / no symptoms groups were analysed using T-test.

4.3.2 Reliability studies (II)

The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) (Shrout and Fleiss 1979) and 95% confi-dence interval (CI) was calculated using macros downloaded from the SPSS website. ICC values < 0.60 were interpreted as poor reliability and ICC ≥ 0.80 reflected high reliability (Richman et al. 1980). To estimate the amount of measurement variability within the individual score, the standard error of measurements (SEM) were cal-culated (SEM = SD × √1-ICC) and expressed in the same metric unit as the measure (Baumgartner 1989). Coefficient of variation (CV) ([SD / mean] × 100) was used to interpret the consistency of measures across time. An extension of this in a sample


of individuals is to calculate the mean CV (Atkinson and Nevill 1998), which was used in this study. Limits of agreement according to Bland and Altman (1986) were generated to illustrate absolute reliability (mean difference ± 2 SD). Additionally, the percentage of agreement was calculated for the MAS and shoulder tug test and 80% agreement was chosen as the threshold value for satisfactory agreement.

To provide an indicator of the feasibility and safety of the measures, the time needed to compete the whole set of measures and the time needed to complete each outcome measure, the perceived physical intensity of each outcome measure, the incidence of relapses, and feeling of tiredness and perceived fatigue were assessed during the test-retest reliability study. The differences in tiredness and fatigue between the measure-ment sessions were analysed using t-test and the Friedman test where appropriate.

4.3.3 Cross-sectional study (III)

For self-care, mobility and domestic life participants were classified into 3 groups: independent (FSQ score 100), independent with perceived difficulties (FSQ score 66.6–99.9) and dependent (FSQ score 0–66.5). Because of the reclassification of the FSQ, the original warning zones (Jette et al. 1986) could not be used. In this study the cut-off scores were chosen to indicate important functional change. A FSQ score of 100 represents fully independent performance without any subjective difficulty in any FSQ item. A cut-off score of 66.5 was chosen to differentiate participants who perceived difficulties in one or more FSQ items but were independent from those who were dependent (i.e., needed assistance and/or assistive devices). The differences between these groups were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Analyses included construction of side-by-side box plots to explore the distribution of the physical functioning variables in relation to the performance groups for self-care, mobility and domestic life. Extreme values for a variable within a group were excluded from the analyses. Out of 23 variables, 8 had no extreme values, 12 had 1–4 extreme values and 3 had more than 4 extreme values per analysis. These 3 variables and the number of excluded cases were: MAS lower limb scores (n = 9 for self-care), velocity moment with eyes open (n = 9 for self-care) and velocity moment with eyes closed (n = 9 for self-care and n = 9 for domestic life).

Multinomial logistic regression was used for modelling. The variables associated with performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life were identified using odds ratios (OR) with a 95% CI for being fully independent versus independent with perceived dif-ficulties, and for being dependent versus independent with perceived difficulties, adjusted for age and gender. The 9 variables in activities and 14 variables in body functions (Figure 4) were independent variables. All the calculations were conducted using primary sampling units except the PCI (beats/min × 100) and walk ratio (m/steps per min × 1000). In addition, a multinomial logistic regression was performed using the ICF Personal Factors (gender, age, BMI, other diseases than MS), ICF Health Condi-


tion variables (disease severity measured by EDSS, disease duration since symptom onset, length of diagnosis, clinical course of the disease, time from previous relapse), the impact of MS-related fatigue (MFIS), and depressive symptoms (CES-D) as inde-pendent background variables.

4.3.4 Responsiveness study (IV)

Data from the participants at baseline and 2 years later were analyzed. Group differ-ences between participants and drop-outs and differences in baseline EDSS and in occurrence of relapses were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous variables and the Pearson chi-square test for categorical variables. The percentage of raw agreement and the Cohen kappa were used to examine the agreement between the participants’ perceptions and the clinician’s ratings.

Distribution-based methods

The minimal detectable change (MDC) was considered at the individual level and is presented in the units used. Responsiveness is captured as the MDC with a confidence level of 95%, as follows (Beaton et al. 2001; Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006):

MDC = 1.96 × √2 x SEM,

where SEM is the standard error of measurement [ SD × √1-ICC] representing the extent to which the measurement of a parameter can vary. The MDC was calculated using the average SEM values obtained from previous test-retest and inter-rater reliability studies (II). Changes smaller than MDC cannot (with a confidence level of 95%) be reliably interpreted as real changes in the score for an individual (Wyrwich et al. 1999; Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006). MDCproportion was calculated to determine the proportion of the study group that achieved at least the minimal amount of reli-able change (Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006).

Anchor-based methods

An interval of one year between the successive sets of ratings was used; these were after-wards combined in the 2-year follow-up results separately for both external criteria. Trichotomous categorizations of the change scores were used. For the participants’ perception of change, participants were classified as follows: deteriorated (somewhat or much worse), stable (about the same), and improved (somewhat or much better) ac-cording to the RAND-36 item. For the clinician’s ratings, a change in the participant’s EDSS score of 1.0 point was used as a cut-off point for deterioration or improvement as it has frequently been used in previous trials and has been considered as clinically meaningful for patients with a baseline EDSS score of < 6.0 (Noseworthy et al. 1990;


Pfennings et al. 1999). The participants were classified as follows: deteriorated (change in EDSS score of ≥ 1 point), stable (change in EDSS score between 0 and ± 0.5 point), and improved (change in EDSS score of ≥ −1 point).

The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for each physical functioning measure, using changes in scores at 2 years from baseline. Relative responsiveness was assessed separately for deterioration and improvement. For both external criteria the scores were dichotomized using the category stable (no change) as the reference category. To compute the AUC, we used a non-parametric method that does not make any distributional assumptions (Hanley and McNeil 1982). The AUC can take any value between 0 and 1 and is a combined measure of sensitivity and specificity and can be interpreted as the probability of correctly discriminating between participants who are deteriorated and those who are stable. The practical lower limit for the AUC is 0.5. The bigger the AUC is, the better the overall performance of the measure.

The minimally important change score (MIC) was calculated as the mean change in participants who showed a minimally important change according to an external criterion (Crosby et al. 2003). The MIC was calculated separately for the participants’ perception and the clinician’s rating using linear regression analysis modified from de Groot et al. (2006):

Y = α + β1 × Y(t0) + β2 × deteriorated + β3 × improved + ε.

Scores for the physical functioning measures at the last follow-up were used as the dependent variables (Y). Two dummy variables based on the external criteria (dete-riorated, improved) and the scores for the physical functioning measure at baseline Y(t0) were used as independent variables. The stable group was used as the reference group. The regression model enabled us to estimate the MIC for deterioration and improvement in a single model. In the formula, β2 is interpreted as the mean change in the physical functioning score for participants who had deteriorated and provides an estimate of MICdeterioration. It indicates the smallest difference in the outcome variable that signifies an important rather than trivial difference in the participants’ perception or the clinician’s rating. Side-by-side box plots of the outcome variables were visually inspected, and extreme values were excluded from the analysis to ensure that they did not compromise the results.


5 RESULTS5.1 The impact of MS on performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life domains in the population-based survey in Central Finland (I)

Overall, 90% of the PWMS in the Central Finland region participated in this survey (n = 240, see table 4). Differences were found in the gender distribution between the respondents, nonrespondents and excluded PwMS (ANOVA, F = 6.202, p < 0.01), but not in age, clinical course of MS, or disease duration since symptom onset or diagnosis (ANOVA, not significant [NS] for all comparison).

Over half of the PwMS (60.5%) were retired on either a full disability pension (n = 118), a part-time disability pension (n = 9) or an old age pension (n = 18). Mean duration from diagnosis to disability pension was 9.3 ± 7.5 years (range 0–31 years). Seventy-two PwMS (30.0%) were employed either full- or part-time or were students. In addition ten PwMS (4.2%) were unemployed, seven (2.9%) were a home mother/father and six (2.5%) were on sick leave.

Eight PwMS out of 240 were in-patients in health centre wards and nine PwMS were living in sheltered accommodation. The remaining PwMS were living at home either alone (20%) or with family members (72%). Almost half of the PwMS (n = 111) received the Social Insurance Institution of Finland disease care allowance. The Social Insur-ance Institution of Finland provided outpatient physiotherapy for 62 PwMS while a further 48 PwMS were receiving it in their local health care centres. The average of physiotherapy was 51 ± 30 times per year, ranging up to 120 times per year, with 87 PwMS receiving it 30 or more times per year.

The symptoms were listed in 13 impairments in body functions and in 3 activity limita-tions according to the ICF components. The most frequent symptoms having an impact on daily life were fatigue (36%), balance problems (29%) and walking difficulties (28%). The frequency of symptoms along with the restrictions in daily living is presented in Figure 5. Of the PwMS, 38 reported that they had no symptoms or signs of MS at that moment. Their average age (38.8 ± 11.8 years) and disease duration (8.1 ± 6.4 years) were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than those who had symptoms of MS (correspondingly, 49.8 ± 11.0 and 17.1 ± 10.8 years). Seven PwMS with disease duration ≥ 15 years had no symptoms of MS at that time. Of the PwMS, 48 (20%) were receiving disease modifying therapies and 75 (31%) used symptomatic medication for their MS symptoms.

The mobility level of the PwMS and demographic variables are presented in Table 5. In answer to an open-ended question, almost half of the PwMS (46%) reported permanent use of a walking aid outdoors and 33% indoors. The most typical walking aids used outdoors were a wheelchair (n = 38) and a bilateral support (n = 26). Nine PwMS had a power wheelchair. Average disease duration from symptom onset to the use of a permanent walking aid was 13.1 ± 8.3 years (range 1–34 years). Of the survey, 25% were able to walk outdoors without any problem or a walking aid after disease duration from symptom onset of ≥ 15 years.


Ambulation difficultiesBalance problems

Loss of dexterity

SpasticityMuscle weakness

Sexual disturbancesBladder of bowel symptoms

Swallowing problemsFatigue

Difficulty in breathingSpeech symptoms

PainSensory symptoms

Visual symptomsDepression

Cognitive disturbance

No symptoms

Impairments in body functions

Activity limitations

10 20 30 40 5050 40 30 20 10 0

Restriction in domestic life (%)No restriction in domestic life (%)

Figure 5. Symptoms of MS (%) classified by perceived restriction in domestic life (no restriction n = 127, perceived restriction

n = 111, missing data n = 2). Reproduced with the kind permission of the Foundation for Rehabilitation Medicine.

Table 5. Demographic variables classified by mobility level. Reproduced with the kind permission of the Foundation

for Rehabilitation Medicine.

Description of mobility level N

(%)

Sex

% womenAge (years) # Years since

onset #

Years since

diagnosis #

Were able to walk without

any problems

122

(50.8%)

78.7% 42.9 ± 11.7* (20–71)

11.1 ± 8.9*

(0–34)

6.3 ± 6.4*

(0–26)

Were able to walk unaided

up to 500 m

27

(11.3%)

66.7% 47.6 ± 9.6*(34–73)

14.5 ± 9.1*

(1–34)

9.6 ± 7.7*

(0–30)

Required a walkin� aid to

walk about 100 m

37

(15.4%)

70.3% 54.0 ± 7.1*

(41–67)

20.0 ± 8.8*

(5–42)

13.5 ± 8.5*

(3–42)

Used wheelchair regularly 38

(15.8%)

73.7% 55.9 ± 9.6*(36–76)

23.2 ± 11.8*(4–56)

16.5 ± 8.9*

(1–39)

Were confined to bed 16

(6.7%)

68.8% 58.4 ± 9.0*

(39–74)

26.1 ± 7.1*

(6–38)

20.9 ± 6.5*

(5–35)

# Mean ± SD (ran�e).* P < 0.001 for comparison between �roups (�NOV�).


The mean WIQ walking distance score was 50.3 ± 43.6. Of the PwMS, 31.8% reported that they could walk distances over one kilometre without any difficulty, 25.1% had slight difficulties walking without walking aids, 20.5% had considerable difficulties walking without a walking aid and 22.6% of the PwMS were unable to walk even 5 metres indoors without a walking aid. Of the PwMS, who reported being able to walk without any problems according to the mobility level scale (n = 122, see Table 5), 38% reported slight or considerable difficulties in walking without a walking aid over the different WIQ distances.

The mean FSQ scores were 80.2 ± 33.2 and 55.6 ± 38.6 for self-care and domestic life, respectively. The majority of the PwMS (82%) classified themselves as independent with no or some difficulties regarding self-care activities (Figure 6). In domestic life, 25% of the PwMS were fully independent without any subjective difficulties in all three FSQ items, 28% were independent but perceived subjective difficulties in one or more of the items, and 47% reported restriction in domestic life, i.e. needed some aid or assistance or could not perform the items at all because of MS. The FSQ items are illustrated graphically in Figure 6.

The mean scores of the WIQ and FSQ for self-care and domestic life decreased gradually with disease duration from symptom onset (p < 0.001 for all comparisons) (Figure 7). Half of the PwMS with ≥ 20 years of disease duration from symptom onset were fully independent in self-care, whereas the impact of MS was clearly seen in walking capacity without assistance and performance in domestic life (Table 6).

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Self-care

Eating,dressing, bathing

Domestic life

Household tasks

Errands

Gardening

No difficulty Subjective difficulties Some aid or assistance Not do because of MS

Figure 6. Performance in self-care and domestic life items according to the FSQ items. Reproduced with the kind

permission of the Foundation for Rehabilitation Medicine.


≥ 20 years15–19 years10–14 years5–9 years0–4 years

Disease duration from symptom onset

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

Mean

28.5

39.4

64.6

45.049.3

82.9

51.256.6

87.1

68.1

66.4

86.881.8

79.8

96.7

Self-care (FSQ)

Domestic life (FSQ)

Walking capacity (WIQ)

Figure 7. Performance in self-care (FSQ) and in domestic life (FSQ) and walking capacity (WIQ) according to

disease duration (years) from symptom onset (mean).

Table 6. Proportion of fully independent and fully dependent PwMS in walking capacity, self-care and domestic life

according to disease duration (years) from symptom onset (n = 238, missing n = 2).

Disease duration from symptom onset (years)

0–4 y (n = 41)

5–9 y (n = 44)

10–14 y (n = 31)

15–19 y (n = 39)

≥ 20 y(n = 83)

Walkin� capacity of PwMS − No difficulties # (%)

− Not able to walk

58.5%2.4%

48.8%9.3%

32.3%16.1%

23.1%17.9%

13.3%44.6%

Self-care (FSQ)− Fully independent # PwMS (%)− Fully dependent § PwMS (%)

92.7%0%

72.7%2.3%

67.7%0%

69.2%5.1%

54.3%24.7%

Domestic life (FSQ)− Fully independent # PwMS (%)− Fully dependent § PwMS (%)

51.2%7.3%

31.8%11.4%

22.6%19.4.%

12. 9%10.3 %

16.0%35.8%

# Fully independent, without assistance or sub�ective difficulties (WIQ = 100; FSQ = 100). Were not able to walk at all without walkin� aid (WIQ = 0).§ Fully dependent in self-care and domestic life (FSQ = 0).


5.2 Reliability and feasibility of the physical functioning measures5.2.1 Reliability (II)

The ICC values were greater than 0.80 in 17 of 23 parameters for test-retest reliability and correspondingly in 20 out of 26 parameters for inter-rater reliability (II). The weakest test-retest reliability was obtained for the PCI of the 6MWT (ICC 0.59, with SEM 0.13 beats/meter). The other ICC values of the test-retest reliability study and all of the ICC values of the inter-rater reliability study were greater than 0.60, indicating acceptable reliability. The CV of the measures over the one-week intervals ranged from 1.1% to 36.6% in the test-retest reliability study and from 1.3% to 48.5% in the inter-rater reliability study. A moderate amount of variability was discovered for the Kela Coordination Test, velocity moments and muscle endurance tests. The reliability values (ICC, SEM and CV) and Bland-Altman plots for each of the outcome measures are presented in Appendix 3.

The MAS scores ranged from 0–4 and thus were not distributed across the entire scale. Normal muscle tone (grade 0) was obtained in 93% and 81% of cases in the test-retest reliability study and 81% and 76% of cases in the inter-rater reliability study for upper limbs and lower limbs, respectively. Percentage of agreement was 93.4% for the combined upper limb spasticity score and 71.1% for the combined lower limb spasticity score in the test-retest reliability study and 80.6% for the combined upper limb spasticity score and 63.9% for the combined lower limb spasticity score in the inter-rater reliability study.

The data obtained from the shoulder tug test were highly skewed because of the high frequency of the score 1 (normal response) and the scores were not distributed across the entire scale. Twelve out of 19 PwMS showed a normal response while only 1 PwMS showed an abnormal response to the shoulder tug test in all the test-retest measure-ments. The overall percentage of agreement was 68.4% between the measurements. Most of the agreement was found for those who had a score of 1.

5.2.2 Feasibility

The feasibility and safety of the set of outcome measures were examined during the test-retest reliability study. The average time taken to perform the whole set of outcome measures, including rest periods, was 73.8 ± 3.5 minutes (range 64–91 min). Individual variation in the duration of the measurement session over the three occasions was 10 minutes on average (range 1–20 min). The largest variation was in the group who re-quired assistance to walk about 100 metres (EDSS score 4.0–6.0). Each test took from four to ten minutes. There was considerable variation in perceived exertion (RPE, scale 6–20) (Borg 1970), which was elicited immediately after performance of each measure. Overall, the highest RPE values were reported after the repetitive endurance tests (mean RPE 15, range 10–20), whereas the other tests were felt to be quite easy (Figure 8).


No relapses or other major acute complications occurred during the test-retest reli-ability study. The set of measures was well tolerated, as indicated by the willingness of the PwMS to return for their second and third testing sessions. A visual analogue scale (VAS, score 0–100 mm) was used to assess the feeling of tiredness instantly after the measurement (Figure 9a), later the same evening (Figure 9b), and the next day (Figure 9c). Mean VAS was 42 ± 21 mm instantly after the measurement, 37 ± 27 mm later the same evening and 31 ± 26 mm the next day, showing a slight but not significant decrease (Friedman test, p = 0.121).

Figure 8. Mean perceived exertion (RPE, scale 6–20) in three test-retest measurement sessions elicited immediately

after performance of each outcome measure.

Figure 9. Feeling of tiredness during the three measurements in test-retest reliability study (n = 19) assessed by visual

analogue scale (VAS, 0–100 mm): (A) after each test-retest measurement session, (B) later the same evening, and (C)

the next day.

RPE (scale 6–20)

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Modified Ashworth Scale

10-meter walk test

Box and Block Test

Postural stability tests

Berg Balance Scale

Grip strength

Kela Coordination Test

MVC of the knee extensors

6 min walk test

Repetitive dumbbell presses

Repetitive squatting

3rd2nd1st

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

VAS

(0–1

00m

m)m

ean

(95%

CI)

Instantly after test-retest session

(A)

3rd2nd1st

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

VAS

(0–1

00m

m)m

ean

(95%

CI)

(B)

In the same evening3rd2nd1st

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

VAS

(0–1

00m

m)m

ean

(95%

CI)

In the next day

(C)


Perceived fatigue was measured by the MFIS before the 1st measurement and one week after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd measurements (Figure 10). There were no statistically significant changes in fatigue during the test-retest reliability study. Mean MFIS was 40.6 ± 20.9 before the 1st measurement and 36.3 ± 19.8 one week after the 3rd meas-urement (t-test, t = 1.626, p = 0.122). The largest variation in fatigue was in the group without disability (EDSS score 0.0–1.5). When controlling for effects of the baseline fatigue, no correlation was found between the perceived exertions of the measures (RPE) and feeling of tiredness (VAS).

Figure 10. MS-related fatigue (MFIS, range 0–84) before the 1st and one week after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd

measurements (mean and 95% CI) assessed during the test-retest reliability study (n = 19).

5.3 Predictors of self-reported performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life in ambulatory PwMS: a cross-sectional study (III)

Cross-sectional data on 120 ambulatory PwMS with a mean age of 45 years and mean disease duration since onset of 12 years (see Table 4) were analyzed. Average (SD) FSQ scores for self-care, mobility, and domestic life were 93.8 ± 11.9 (range, 50–100), 81.8 ± 26.4 (range, 7–100), and 76.9 ± 28.3 (range, 0–100), respectively. Restrictions in self-reported performance were substantially more prevalent in the mobility and domestic life domains than in the self-care domain (Figure 11). All scales showed statistically significant differences between the fully independent, independent with perceived difficulties, and dependent groups (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.001).

1 week after 3rd

measurement

1 week after 2nd

measurement

1 week after 1st

measurement

Before1st

measurement

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

MFI

S(0

–84)

mea

n(9

5%C

I)


Figure 11. Self-reported performance obtained from the FSQ: (A) self-care, (B) mobility, and (C) domestic life. Boxes

show 25%–75% quartiles; whiskers 10%–90% percentiles; solid lines median values. Reproduced with the kind

permission of Elsevier.

Associations between personal factors and self-reported performance

A multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the relationships between self-reported performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life and personal factors (age, sex, BMI, other diseases). Significant associations were found only between age and mobility (OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00–1.18 for dependent vs. perceived difficulties) and between age and domestic life (OR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91–0.99 for independent vs. perceived difficulties).

Associations between health condition and self-reported performance

Among the health condition variables, mild disease severity (EDSS < 4.0) was sig-nificantly associated with independent performance in self-care (OR = 11.39; 95% CI, 4.21–30.76 for independent vs. perceived difficulties) and with dependency in mobil-ity and in domestic life (OR = 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01–0.14; OR = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.00–0.07, respectively, for dependent vs. perceived difficulties). In addition, RRMS was associ-ated with dependency in mobility (OR = 6.42; 95% CI, 1.25–32.86 for dependent vs. perceived difficulties). Disease duration from symptom onset, disease duration from diagnosis, and relapse during the preceding 6 months were not significantly related to self-reported performance.

Independent(n = 83)

Perceiveddifficulties(n = 31)

Dependent(n = 6)

FSQ self-care category FSQ mobility category FSQ domestic life category

Independent(n = 57)


Dependent(n = 26)

Independent(n = 38)


Dependent(n = 31)

FSQ domestic life (0–100)FSQ mobility (0–100)FSQ self-care (0–100)

(A) (B) (C)

100

80

60

40

20

0

100

80

60

40

20

0

100

80

60

40

20

0


Associations between outcomes of physical functioning measures and self-reported performance

Self-care. The associations between the dependent PwMS and independent PwMS with perceived difficulties in self-care performance were excluded from results because of the small number of PwMS in the dependent group (n = 6). The Kela Coordination Test was the only outcome measure of activities which did not influence independ-ence in self-care (Table 7). The measure most strongly associated with independence in self-care was 10MWT time at maximal speed. As the calculations were made using primary sampling units, these effects are quite large.

In body functions, when comparing the independent PwMS with those who perceived difficulties in self-care, significant predictors were HR change and RPE during the 6MWT, 10MWT stride length and cadence, MVC of the knee extensors, repetitive squatting and right hand dumbbell presses, and MAS score for both upper and lower limbs (Table 8).

Mobility. All the measures of activities were significantly associated with performance in mobility when the independent PwMS were compared with those who perceived difficulties (Table 9). The Kela Coordination Test was the only outcome measure of activities which had no influence on the dependency in mobility. The effects in par-ticularly of the BBS and 10MWT are large, i.e., the likelihood of being independent rather than perceiving difficulties in mobility increased over 2-fold (OR = 2.15) if the PwMS had a 1-point better score in the BBS, a 1-point lower BBS increased the likelihood of being dependent in mobility by approximately one third (OR = 0.67), and a 1-second faster walking time at normal speed increased by 50% the likelihood of being fully independent rather perceiving difficulties in mobility.

Table 10 presents age- and sex-adjusted ORs and their CIs for the association between the clinical outcome measures of the ICF body functions and self-reported performance in mobility. Of the measures, 10MWT stride length and cadence, and MAS score for the lower limbs predicted performance in mobility when both the independent and dependent PwMS groups were compared to the group with perceived difficulties.

Domestic life. Table 11 presents age- and sex-adjusted ORs and their CIs for the association between the clinical outcome measures of the ICF activities and self- reported performance in domestic life. Self-reported performance in domestic life was predicted by the BBT for the dominant hand, BBS, velocity moment with eyes open, 10MWT time at normal speed, and 6MWT distance in the ICF activities. The ICF body functions variables which most strongly predicted self-reported performance in domestic life were the 6MWT RPE, 10MWT stride length and repetitive squatting when both the independent and dependent PwMS groups were compared to the group with perceived difficulties (Table 12).


Effect of depressive symptoms and fatigue on self-rated performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life

Overall 40% (n = 49) of the PwMS experienced depressive symptoms when a CES-D cut-off score of 16 was used. The average CES-D score was 14.9 ± 11.6 (range, 0–47). When assessed as a continuous measure, the only significant association between CES-D and ADL performance was in domestic life when the independent PwMS were compared with those who perceived difficulties (OR = 2.69; 95% CI, 1.09–6.77).

The average level of MS-related fatigue measured by the MFIS was 35.0 ± 16.5 (range, 0–84) and almost 50% of the PwMS (n = 57) scored above the cut-off value of 38. In domestic life, those who were independent had significantly less fatigue compared to the PwMS who perceived difficulties or were dependent (MFIS, 20.9 ± 12.0, 39 ± 14.3, and 45.7 ± 12.8, respectively, p < 0.001). Fatigue was an independent predictor in self-reported performance in self-care (OR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.91–0.97), mobility (OR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93–0.98), and domestic life (OR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87–0.94) when the independent PwMS were compared with those who perceived difficulties. Instead, it was an independent predictor only in domestic life (OR = 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.08) when the dependent PwMS were compared with those who perceived difficulties.

Because of the substantial level of fatigue, additional multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and fatigue (MFIS) were conducted between physical functioning and self-reported performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life. Only minor changes in the significant associations were found. In activities, the BBT for the dominant hand (see Table 9) no longer showed a significant association with mobility (OR = 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.09 for the independent PwMS vs. those who perceived difficulties; p = 0.064). In body functions, when comparing the indepen-dent PwMS with those who perceived difficulties, the ORs between the 6MWT RPE (see Table 8) and performance in self-care (OR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.66–1.10; p = 0.208) and between the 6MWT RPE (see Table 12) and performance in domestic life (OR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.47–1.02; p = 0.062) became nonsignificant, while the ORs between the walk ratio of the10MWT (see Table 8) and performance in self-care became sig-nificant (OR=0.65; 95% CI, 0.43–0.98; p = 0.038). When the dependent PwMS were compared with those who perceived difficulties, the OR between the change in heart rate during the 6MWT (see Table 10) and performance in mobility became nonsig-nificant (OR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–1.00; p = 0.056), while the OR between the 6MWT PCI (see Table 12) and performance in domestic life became significant (OR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00–1.05; p = 0.021).


Table 7. Associations between self-reported performance in self-care (FSQ) and clinical outcome measures of activities

(capacity) (ORs and 95% CIs from multinomial logistic regression analyses). Reproduced with the kind permission of

Elsevier.

Self-careActivities (capacity) Independent (n = 83) vs.

perceived difficulties (n = 31)

Dependent (n = 6) vs.


OR (95% CI) OR (95% CI)

BBT of dominant hand (number/min) 1.07 (1.03–1.12) N�

BBS score (0–56) 1.24 (1.11–1.38) N�

�ela Coordination Test: time (s) 0.99 (0.97–1.01) N�

�ela Coordination Test: faults (number) 0.99 (0.91–1.07) N�

Velocity moment eyes open (mm2/s) 0.95 (0.91–0.99) N�

Velocity moment eyes closed (mm2/s) 0.97 (0.95–0.99) N�

10MWT time at normal speed (s) 0.72 (0.60–0.87) N�

10MWT time at maximal speed (s) 0.52 (0.37–0.73) N�

6MWT distance (m) 1.01 (1.00–1.01) N�

NOTE: Values in bold are statistically si�nificant (p < 0.05). Values are ad�usted for a�e and sex.N�, not applicable (omitted because of the small number of the participants in the ‘dependent’ �roup).

Table 8. Associations between self-reported performance in self-care (FSQ) and clinical outcome measures of body functions

(ORs and 95% CIs from multinomial logistic regression analyses). Reproduced with the kind permission of Elsevier.

Self-care

Body functions Independent (n = 83) vs.




OR (95% CI) OR (95% CI)

6MWT HRmax at end (beats/min) 1.02 (1.00–1.05) N�

6MWT HR chan�e (beats/min) 1.05 (1.02–1.08) N�

6MWT PCI (beats/m × 100) 1.01 (0.98–1.03) N�

6MWT RPE (6–20) 0.78 (0.62–0.98) N�

10MWT stride len�th (cm) 1.04 (1.02–1.06) N�

10MWT cadence (steps/min) 1.06 (1.03–1.09) N�

10MWT walk ratio (m/steps per min × 1000) 0.86 (0.60–1.23) N�

Ri�ht hand �rip stren�th (k�) 1.02 (0.96–1.09) N�

MVC of the knee extensors (k�) 1.03 (1.01–1.05) N�

Repetitive squattin� (times) 1.12 (1.05–1.20) N�

Ri�ht hand repetitive dumbbell presses (k� × times) 1.03 (1.01–1.04) N�

M�S score for upper limbs (0–20) 0.38 (0.21–0.69) N�

M�S score for lower limbs (0–20) 0.44 (0.29–0.67) N�

SLR for ri�ht hamstrin� muscle flexibility (de�ree) 1.02 (0.99–1.05) N�

NOTE: Values in bold are statistically si�nificant (p < 0.05). Values are ad�usted for a�e and sex.N�, not applicable (omitted because of the small number of the participants in the ‘dependent’ �roup).


Table 9. Associations between self-reported performance in mobility (FSQ) and clinical outcome measures of activities

(capacity) (ORs and 95% CIs from multinomial logistic regression analyses). Reproduced with the kind permission of

Elsevier.

Mobility

Activities (capacity) Independent (n = 57) vs.




OR (95% CI) OR (95% CI)

BBT of dominant hand (number/min) 1.05 (1.01–1.10) 0.93 (0.89–0.98)

BBS score (0–56) 2.15 (1.45–3.14) 0.67 (0.54–0.83)

�ela Coordination Test: time (s) 0.98 (0.96–0.99) 0.97 (0.92–1.02)

�ela Coordination Test: faults (number) 0.90 (0.83–0.98) 0.90 (0.74–1.09)

Velocity moment eyes open (mm2/s) 0.86 (0.80–0.93) 1.04 (1.01–1.07)

Velocity moment eyes closed (mm2/s) 0.97 (0.95–0.99) 1.01 (1.00–1.02)

10MWT time at normal speed (s) 0.50 (0.34–0.74) 1.87 (1.29–2.69)

10MWT time at maximal speed (s) 0.38 (0.21–0.67) 2.43 (1.41–4.21)

6MWT distance (m) 1.01 (1.00–1.01) 0.99 (0.98–0.99)

NOTE: Values in bold are statistically si�nificant (p < 0.05). Values are ad�usted for a�e and sex.

Table 10. Associations between self-reported performance in mobility (FSQ) and clinical outcome measures of body functions

(ORs and 95% CIs from multinomial logistic regression analyses). Reproduced with the kind permission of Elsevier.

Mobility





OR (95% CI) OR (95% CI)

6MWT HRmax at end (beats/min) 1.01 (0.99–1.04) 0.97 (0.94–1.00)

6MWT HR chan�e (beats/min) 1.02 (0.99–1.05) 0.96 (0.92–1.00)

6MWT PCI (beats/m × 100) 1.00 (0.98–1.02) 1.04 (1.01–1.07)

6MWT RPE (6–20) 0.78 (0.60–1.02) 1.33 (0.99–1.78)

10MWT stride len�th (cm) 1.05 (1.02–1.08) 0.94 (0.91–0.97)

10MWT cadence (steps/min) 1.05 (1.01–1.09) 0.93 (0.89–0.96)

10MWT walk ratio (m/steps per min × 1000) 1.36 (0.87–2.12) 1.52 (0.94–2.46)

Ri�ht hand �rip stren�th (k�) 1.02 (0.95–1.09) 1.00 (0.92–1.08)

MVC of the knee extensors (k�) 1.01 (0.99–1.04) 0.94 (0.91–0.97)

Repetitive squattin� (times) 1.10 (1.04–1.17) 0.93 (0.84–1.03)

Ri�ht hand repetitive dumbbell presses (k� × times) 1.00 (1.00–1.01) 0.93 (0.90–0.97)

M�S score for upper limbs (0–20) 0.18 (0.05–0.67) 1.51 (0.98–2.31)

M�S score for lower limbs (0–20) 0.17 (0.05–0.52) 1.47 (1.13–1.91)

SLR for ri�ht hamstrin� muscle flexibility (de�ree) 1.02 (0.99–1.05) 0.99 (0.96–1.02)



Table 11. Associations between self-reported performance in domestic life (FSQ) and clinical outcome measures of

activities (capacity) (ORs and 95% CIs from multinomial logistic regression analyses). Reproduced with the kind

permission of Elsevier.

Domestic life

Activities (capacity) Independent (n = 38) vs.




OR (95% CI) OR (95% CI)

BBT of dominant hand (number/min) 1.07 (1.02–1.12) 0.93 (0.89–0.98)

BBS score (0–56) 1.68 (1.13–2.49) 0.66 (0.55–0.80)

�ela Coordination Test: time (s) 0.98 (0.96–1.01) 1.02 (1.00–1.05)

�ela Coordination Test: faults (number) 0.95 (0.87–1.03) 1.03 (0.92–1.16)

Velocity moment eyes open (mm2/s) 0.85 (0.76–0.94) 1.09 (1.03–1.14)

Velocity moment eyes closed (mm2/s) 0.98 (0.95–1.01) 1.03 (1.01–1.05)

10MWT time at normal speed (s) 0.53 (0.34–0.81) 1.52 (1.22–1.89)

10MWT time at maximal speed (s) 0.63 (0.39–1.02) 1.79 (1.31–2.45)

6MWT distance (m) 1.01 (1.00–1.01) 0.99 (0.99–0.99)


Table 12. Associations between self-reported performance in domestic life (FSQ) and clinical outcome measures of body

functions (ORs and 95% CIs from multinomial logistic regression analyses). Reproduced with the kind permission of

Elsevier.

Domestic life





OR (95% CI) OR (95% CI)

6MWT HRmax at end (beats/min) 1.02 (0.99–1.05) 0.98 (0.95–1.01)

6MWT HR chan�e (beats/min) 1.02 (0.99–1.04) 0.95 (0.91–0.98)

6MWT PCI (beats/m × 100) 1.00 (0.98–1.03) 1.02 (1.00–1.04)

6MWT RPE (6–20) 0.64 (0.46–0.88) 1.32 (1.03–1.70)

10MWT stride len�th (cm) 1.04 (1.01–1.08) 0.94 (0.91–0.97)

10MWT cadence (steps/min) 1.02 (0.98–1.06) 0.88 (0.83–0.94)

10MWT walk ratio (m/steps per min × 1000) 1.27 (0.83–1.94) 1.19 (0.80–1.76)

Ri�ht hand �rip stren�th (k�) 0.99 (0.93–1.06) 0.96 (0.89–1.02)

MVC of the knee extensors (k�) 1.00 (0.98–1.02) 0.94 (0.91–0.97)

Repetitive squattin� (times) 1.07 (1.03–1.12) 0.90 (0.83–0.99)

Ri�ht hand repetitive dumbbell presses (k� × times) 1.00 (1.00–1.01) 0.94 (0.91–0.97)

M�S score for upper limbs (0–20) 0.41 (0.11–1.55) 2.82 (1.51–5.28)

M�S score for lower limbs (0–20) 0.35 (0.12–1.00) 2.32 (1.54–3.50)

SLR for ri�ht hamstrin� muscle flexibility (de�ree) 1.02 (0.99–1.04) 0.98 (0.95–1.01)



5.4 Responsiveness in the 2-year prospective longitudinal study of ambulatory PwMS (IV)5.4.1 Distribution-based responsiveness of the clinical measures of physical functioning

The minimal detectable change (MDC) provides an estimate of the magnitude of the change found in the clinical epidemiological data for the ambulatory PwMS (IV) dur-ing the 2-year follow-up period. The MDC was considered at the individual level and is presented in the units of the respective measures. The MDCs for each of the physical functioning measures are presented in Appendix 3. For example, the responsiveness findings with regard to the BBS showed a MDC of 2.3 points, indicating that changes in the BBS need to be at least 3 points before a real change rather than a chance fluc-tuation can be reliably concluded. In addition, the MDC for the MFIS was examined and found to be 16.9 points.

The MDCproportion indicates a stable situation in 61% of outcomes, as in those measures less than 10% of the participants’ scores exceeded the MDC. During the 2-year fol-low-up the largest fluctuations (MDCproportion over 20%) were seen for muscle power functions (21.3% for grip strength and 44.1% for MVC of the knee extensors), upper extremity muscle endurance function (27.7% for right hand repetitive dumbbell presses), fine hand use (30.3% for BBT) and the Berg Balance Scale (25.7%) for chang-ing and maintaining body position.

5.4.2 Deterioration in physical functioning; anchor-based responsiveness

Data from the PwMS at baseline and 2 years later were analyzed. The average age and disease duration from symptom onset and from diagnosis of those PwMS who dropped out (n = 11) were similar to the average age and disease durations of those PwMS who completed the study (n = 109) (Mann-Whitney U test, NS for all comparisons). The participants and drop-outs were also similar in sex distribution, baseline disease severity as assessed by the EDSS, and clinical course of the disease (chi-square test, NS for all comparisons). The results for the physical functioning measures at baseline and at the 2-year follow-up (n = 109) are presented in Table 13.

Overall, 51.4% of the PwMS did not report any relapse during the 2-year follow-up, 28.0% had 1 relapse and 20.6% had 2 or more relapses. The association between oc-currence of relapses and deterioration according to the EDSS rating was statistically significant (Pearson χ2(4) = 15.76, p < 0.01); however, this was not the case when the occurrence of relapses were compared to the participants’ own perception of change assessed by the RAND-36 item (Pearson χ2(4) = 4.70, p = 0.320). With the Kruskal-Wallis test, the changes in the parameters significantly related to the occurrence of relapses were Kela Coordination Test time, velocity moment with eyes open and eyes closed, 6MWT distance, change in HR during the 6MWT, and self-reported perform-ance (FSQ) in self-care and in domestic life.


The percentage of the PwMS showing deterioration according to their own per-ception and to the clinician’s rating over the 2-year follow-up period were 51.4% (n = 56) and 25.7% (n = 28), respectively. A small percentage of PwMS improved (17.4% according to the participants’ perception and 7.3% according to the clini-cian’s rating). Thus, the results for improvement were less clear, and the data are not shown. According to the participants’ perceptions, 31.2% (n = 34) remained stable compared with the 67.0% (n = 73) rated as stable by the clinician. The agreement between the participants’ perceptions and the clinician’s ratings in classifying the PwMS as deteriorated, stable or improved was 46% (қ = 0.16). Pearson chi-square showed no significant association between baseline EDSS scores and deterioration according to either the participants’ perceptions or the clinician’s rating.

Irrespective of the external criterion applied, the measures most responsive to deterioration were: self-reported performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life measured by the FSQ; distance and change in heart rate during the 6MWT; 10MWT velocities, stride length and cadence; repetitive squatting; and BBT. The AUC values ranged from 0.43 to 0.76 and had wide CIs. For 14 out of 26 param-eters (clinician’s rating) and 11 out of 26 parameters (participants’ perceptions), the AUC significantly differed from 0.50. For MICdeterioration, 15 out of 26 parameters (clinician’s rating) and 10 out of 26 parameters (participants’ perceptions), the MIC significantly differed from zero.

The results for deterioration drawn from AUC and MICdeterioration according to the cli-nician’s rating can be found in Table 14 and according to the participants’ perceptions in Table 15. All the self-reported performance measures (i.e., FSQ scores for self-care, mobility, and domestic life) had significant AUC values and MICdeterioration values. Of the clinician’s ratings there were 6 significant AUC values out of 9 and 6 MICdeterioration values out of 9 for the ICF activities component, whereas for the ICF body functions component, the proportion of significant values was smaller (5 out of 14 AUC values and 6 out of 14 MICdeterioration values). Of the participant’s perceptions, there were 5 out of 9 significant AUC values and 4 out of 9 MICdeterioration values for the ICF activities, whereas there were only 3 out of 14 significant AUC values and 3 out of 14 MICdeterioration values for the ICF body functions.

In addition to the physical functioning measures, AUC and MICdeterioration values were calculated for the MFIS and CES-D. The MFIS showed significant AUC and MIC-deterioration values both for the participants’ perceptions (0.69; 95% CI 0.59−0.79 and 11.0; 95% CI 5.9–16.2, respectively) and clinician’s ratings (0.67, 95% CI 0.56–0.78 and 6.7; 96% CI 1.3–12.2, respectively). For CES-D there were no significant AUC or MICdeterioration values.


Table 13. Data from the outcome measures of the PwMS who participated in the 2-year follow-up study (IV) at baseline

and 2 years later (n = 109). Reproduced with the kind permission of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Physical functioning measure

Score

Baseline 2-year

Mean (SD) N Mean (SD) N

Activities and Participation (performance)

FSQ Self-care 0–100 93.5 (12.2) 109 90.5 (15.7) 109

FSQ Mobility 0–100 80.8 (26.2) 109 76.5 (28.6) 109

FSQ Domestic life 0–100 75.5 (28.7) 109 72.4 (28.8) 109

Activities (capacity)

BBT of dominant hand no. of blocks/min 62.1 (12.9) 109 64.3 (13.8) 109

BBS score 0–56 50.9 (8.0) 109 50.4 (8.8) 109

�ela Coordination Test time s 75.5 (31.4) 80 75.6 (30.5) 80

�ela Coordination Test faults number 8.4 (7.5) 80 8.5 (7.0) 80

Velocity moment eyes open mm2/s 21.9 (33.9) 106 23.9 (53.1) 104

Velocity moment eyes closed mm2/s 57.5 (94.3) 100 46.3 (65.7) 99

10MWT velocity at normal speed m/s 1.2 (0.5) 109 1.2 (0.5) 109

10MWT velocity at maximal speed m/s 1.6 (0.6) 109 1.6 (0.6) 109

6MWT distance meter 474.0 (184.8) 108 474.4 (186.6) 104

Body Functions

6MWT HRmax at end beats/min 112.2 (19.0) 104 112.8 (17.6) 103

6MWT HR chan�e (beats/min) beats/min 44.9 (18.1) 104 44.8 (17.5) 103

6MWT PCI beats/m 0.6 (0.5) 103 0.7 (0.5) 105

6MWT RPE 6–20 13.3 (2.0) 107 13.5 (2.2) 106

10MWT stride len�th cm 133.3 (33.1) 109 130.5 (33.0) 109

10MWT cadence steps/min 106.9 (22.2) 109 106.3 (23.1) 109

10MWT walk ratio m/steps/min 0.006 (0.001) 109 0.006 (0.001) 109

Ri�ht hand �rip stren�th k� 33.4 (10.9) 108 32.5 (12.1) 109

MVC of the knee extensors k� 76.0 (27.5) 106 76.5 (28.2) 102

Repetitive squattin� no. of repetitions 26.0 (21.4) 95 28.1 (24.7) 90

Ri�ht hand repetitive dumbbell presses k� × no. of repetitions

97.1 (67.8) 102 107.0 (71.5) 94

M�S score for upper limbs 0–20 0.6 (1.1) 109 0.9 (1.9) 109

M�S score for lower limbs 0–20 1.6 (3.0) 109 1.8 (3.5) 108

SLR for ri�ht hamstrin� muscle flexibility de�ree 86.3 (18.0) 109 85.3 (17.8) 109


Table 14. Results of anchor-based methods for deterioration using the clinician’s rating (EDSS) as external criterion.

Reproduced with the kind permission of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Physical functioning measure AUC MIC deterioration

AUC 95% CI p B 95% CI p

Activities and participation (performance)

FSQ Self-care 0.73 0.61–0.85 < 0.001 –9.54 –13.66– –5.43 < 0.001

FSQ Mobility 0.71 0.61–0.82 0.001 –10.87 –17.02– –4.71 0.001

FSQ Domestic life 0.66 0.54–0.79 0.009 –11.33 –18.62– –4.05 0.003


BBT of dominant hand 0.71 0.59–0.83 0.001 –5.23 –8.58– –2.07 0.002

BBS score 0.57 0.44–0.69 0.306 –0.60 –2.24–1.05 0.473

�ela Coordination Test time 0.54 0.38–0.69 0.624 –0.25 –11.28–10.79 0.965

�ela Coordination Test faults 0.59 0.42–0.75 0.253 1.40 –0.23–3.03 0.090

Velocity moment eyes open 0.63 0.49–0.77 0.043 4.95 0.71–9.19 0.023

Velocity moment eyes closed 0.70 0.57–0.83 0.003 16.33 7.13–25.54 0.001

10MWT velocity at normal speed 0.64 0.52–0.75 0.033 –0.08 –0.15– –0.01 0.025

10MWT velocity at max.speed 0.76 0.66–0.86 < 0.001 –0.19 –0.28– –0.11 < 0.001

6MWT distance 0.76 0.65–0.86 < 0.001 –55.06 –79.51– –30.62 < 0.001

Body Functions

6MWT HRmax at end 0.61 0.48–0.73 0.106 –5.13 –10.46–0.20 0.059

6MWT HR chan�e (beats/min) 0.65 0.52–0.78 0.023 –6.77 –11.90– –1.64 0.010

6MWT PCI 0.43 0.30–0.56 0.280 –0.01 –0.07–0.05 0.855

6MWT RPE 0.54 0.41–0.66 0.564 0.33 –0.40–1.05 0.374

10MWT stride len�th 0.63 0.51– –0.74 0.049 –3.96 –9.18–1.26 0.135

10MWT cadence 0.57 0.45–0.69 0.281 –3.90 –7.44– –0.37 0.031

10MWT walk ratio 0.55 0.44–0.67 0.417 –0.0001 –0.00–0.00 0.414

Ri�ht hand �rip stren�th 0.67 0.54–0.79 0.009 –2.35 –3.99– –0.71 0.006

MVC of the knee extensors 0.58 0.45–0.71 0.226 –4.18 –9.83–1.48 0.146

Repetitive squattin� 0.68 0.55–0.81 0.012 –4.47 –7.72– –1.23 0.008

Ri�ht hand repetitive dumbbell presses 0.52 0.37–0.67 0.671 –1.77 –20.12–16.59 0.849

M�S score for upper limbs 0.59 0.46– 0.72 0.159 0.85 0.19–1.52 0.012

M�S score for lower limbs 0.54 0.40–0.67 0.573 0.27 –0.64–1.18 0.555

SLR for ri�ht hamstrin� muscle 0.63 0.51–0.75 0.041 –6.32 –11.31– –1.34 0.013

NOTE: Values in bold are statistically si�nificant (p < 0.05).


Table 15. Results of anchor-based methods for deterioration using participants’ perceptions as external criterion.

Reproduced with the kind permission of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Physical functioning measure AUC MIC deterioration

AUC 95% CI p B 95% CI P

Activities and participation (performance)

FSQ Self-care 0.76 0.67–0.85 < 0.001 –8.01 –11.95– –4.06 < 0.001

FSQ Mobility 0.64 0.53–0.74 0.015 –7.17 –13.58– –0.76 0.029

FSQ Domestic life 0.62 0.51–0.72 0.038 –10.51 –17.80– –3.23 0.005


BBT of dominant hand 0.62 0.51–0.72 0.037 –3.48 –6.83– –0.13 0.042

BBS score 0.62 0.51–0.72 0.037 –1.41 –3.00–0.18 0.082

�ela Coordination Test time 0.50 0.37–0.63 0.964 5.00 –5.60–15.60 0.350

�ela Coordination Test faults 0.50 0.36–0.64 0.996 0.73 –0.85–2.31 0.360

Postural stability eyes open 0.47 0.35–0.58 0.558 0.62 –3.52–4.75 0.767

Postural stability eyes closed 0.53 0.42–0.65 0.574 4.83 –4.25–13.91 0.293

10MWT velocity at normal speed 0.69 0.59–0.79 0.001 –0.14 –0.21– –0.07 < 0.001

10MWT velocity at max.speed 0.62 0.52–0.73 0.028 –0.11 –0.20– –0.01 0.026

6MWT distance 0.76 0.67–0.85 < 0.001 –53.35 –77.97– –28.72 < 0.001

Body Functions

6MWT HRmax at end 0.58 0.47–0.70 0.158 –4.45 –9.66–0.77 0.094

6MWT HR chan�e (beats/min) 0.60 0.49–0.72 0.072 –5.21 –10.23– –0.20 0.042

6MWT PCI 0.52 0.41–0.64 0.690 0.004 –0.06–0.06 0.896

6MWT RPE 0.51 0.40–0.62 0.845 0.50 –0.22–1.23 0.172

10MWT stride len�th 0.66 0.56–0.76 0.005 –6.49 –11.68– –1.30 0.015

10MWT cadence 0.69 0.60–0.79 0.001 –6.94 –10.12– –3.77 < 0.001

10MWT walk ratio 0.46 0.35–0.57 0.460 0.00 –0.00–0.00 0.916

Ri�ht hand �rip stren�th 0.56 0.45–0.67 0.322 –0.43 –2.08–1.21 0.603

MVC of the knee extensors 0.58 0.47–0.69 0.173 –3.70 –9.28–1.88 0.191

Repetitive squattin� 0.62 0.51–0.74 0.046 –0.64 –4.16–2.89 0.719

Ri�ht hand repetitive dumbbell presses 0.55 0.44–0.67 0.370 –15.35 –33.09–2.38 0.089

M�S score for upper limbs 0.53 0.42–0.64 0.649 0.21 –0.47–0.89 0.540

M�S score for lower limbs 0.53 0.42–0.64 0.625 0.47 –0.43–1.38 0.301

SLR for ri�ht hamstrin� muscle flexibility 0.57 0.46–0.68 0.205 –4.44 –9.43–0.55 0.080

NOTE: Values in bold are statistically si�nificant (p < 0.05).


6 DISCUSSION6.1 Performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life of PwMS in the Central Finland region (I)

Although the epidemiology of MS is well known, relatively little information exists on the extent and nature of functional limitations in this population, despite its obvious importance for health and social service planning (McDonnell and Hawkins 2001), and for counselling newly diagnosed PwMS and interpreting clinical trials (Myhr et al. 2001). The degree of functional limitation caused by MS have been estimated in some population-based studies (Rodriguez et al. 1994; Midgard et al. 1996; Pina et al. 1998; McDonnell and Hawkins 2001; Modrego et al. 2001). So far no such studies have been performed in Finland.

In this population-based survey, a postal questionnaire focusing on the ICF domains of self-care, mobility and domestic life were used to identify the level of physical func-tioning of PwMS in the Central Finland region. The aim was to describe what PwMS do in their current environment, i.e., to describe their performance. The number of PwMS (n = 240) in this study indicated it one of the largest population-based assess-ments of MS-related physical functioning in the literature. The rationale for studying a population-based sample was to gain as representative a picture as possible, free from the biases inherent in clinical or hospital-based studies. Given that the study covered 87% of the prevalent population in Central Finland region, this has been achieved. Differences between the respondents, nonrespondents and excluded PwMS were found only in sex distribution, and thus the present study showed good internal validity. This study is limited by its cross-sectional design. Many of the questions raised by the study relate to temporality, and a cross-sectional design cannot address this issue.

Self-report measures are comfortable because they are relatively inexpensive to obtain, data collection is rapid, and they take into account the influence of both environmental and personal factors (Finch et al. 2002). It has to be remembered that the perception of difficulty is a personal experience influenced by each individual’s frame of reference. The need of some PwMS for help in filling out the questionnaire may have influenced the answers in the present study. There is always a risk that questions in surveys are misunderstood or interpreted differently by different persons. Cognitive impairments (Lynch et al. 2005) and depression (Smith and Young 2000) can also adversely affect PwMS’ perception of their disability. However, cognitive impairment in MS has not been found to affect the reliability of self-report health measures (Gold et al. 2003). The reliability of the version of the questionnaire used in this study is not known, and may therefore constitute a possible cause of bias. However, the FSQ scale has been found to be internally consistent and valid for PwMS (Murphy et al. 1998) and the WIQ has been used in population based surveys to measure community-walk-ing ability (Regensteiner et al. 1990; McDermott et al. 1998; Chong et al. 2002). The findings in the present study show that both the FSQ and WIQ seemed to be suitable for use among PwMS.


The sex ratios, age, disease duration and clinical presentation resemble those of previ-ous larger population-based studies in Northern Ireland (n = 248) (McDonnell and Hawkins 2001) and in the USA (n = 162) (Rodriguez et al. 1994). In the present study the proportion of independent PwMS in self-care without any perceived difficulties (69%) compares with the results obtained in the USA. In contrast, in Northern Ireland only 29% were independent in self-care. The impact of the disease was more apparent after 10 years of disease duration from symptom onset in walking capacity without a walking aid and performance in domestic life, and after 20 years in self-care. In ac-cordance with previous studies (Benedikz et al. 2002; Sundstrom et al. 2004; Tremlett et al. 2006), the results showed that MS may be a rather more benign disease than has previously been recognized.

The most common symptoms of MS such as visual abnormalities, weakness, spasticity and sensory symptoms (Poser et al. 1979; Kraft et al. 1986) appeared in the present study. However, fatigue was the most frequent complaint, its impact on the daily functioning of PwMS resembling the findings of the earlier studies (Goldman et al. 2006). In previous studies fatigue has been found to be related to working ability (Midgard et al. 1996) and might separately increase the limitations on functioning of PwMS (Bergamaschi et al. 1995).

Of the PwMS, 43% of those of working-age were engaged in working life after average disease duration of 15.8 years from symptom onset. Nonetheless, the proportion of working PwMS is relatively small considering the high level of self-reported activity and participation. For example, 82% reported independence in self-care, 53% the ability to carry out domestic life independently, and 50% the ability to walk without any problems. One fourth of the PwMS were in full- or part-time employment, as similarly reported in Northern Ireland (McDonnell and Hawkins 2001); however the proportion was low compared to the 53% in a sample studied in the USA (Rodriguez et al. 1994). Premature retirement cannot be explained solely by the impact of MS or of physical disability factors. There is known to be an interaction between physical/psychosocial disability and social program factors that contributes to employment status (Johnson et al. 2004).

In line with the previous population-based studies (Rodriguez et al. 1994; Midgard et al. 1996; Pina et al. 1998; McDonnell and Hawkins 2001; Modrego et al. 2001) only a minority of PwMS in the present study (6%) were institutionalized or in sheltered accommodation. However one-third of the PwMS were dependent in self-care and domestic life, indicating that they might need some kind of special services provided by local authorities for people with disabilities, such as a personal assistant, caregiver’s allowance, transportation or home conversion.

Even in the initial stage of MS, when neurological deficits are relatively minor, PwMS were experiencing limitations in physical functioning (de Groot et al. 2005; Martin et al. 2006). This was confirmed by our study. In the present study the majority of PwMS classified themselves as independent in self-care and domestic life, but a considerable


number of them reported difficulties in various domestic life items (35–62%). The corresponding proportion for self-care among the independent PwMS was found to be lower (16%). Of those who reported being able to walk without any problems in answer to the question on their mobility level, 38% reported slight or considerable difficulties in walking without a walking aid over the different WIQ distances. Thus, PwMS could manage independently, but they might have to put additional effort into managing their physical disability by selection, optimization, or compensation (Baltes and Baltes 1990). This group of PwMS might be at high risk for further deteriora-tion and thus should be a target of preventive health care and rehabilitation services aimed at maintaining their independence in self-care, mobility and domestic life for as long as possible.

The representativeness of the study sample is also good. It formed 4% of the estimated Finnish MS population, and thus can be deemed adequate for the purpose of estimat-ing national needs for rehabilitation and social services. Overall, 48% of this cohort received physiotherapy compared to the 23% in the study by Freeman and Thompson (Freeman and Thompson 2000). The present population-based survey showed that MS remains a disabling disease with a large proportion of PwMS receiving disability pensions, medication and physiotherapy. Our results for 240 PwMS provide informa-tion that can be used by local and national authorities in planning and co-ordinating rehabilitation interventions and social services. Because legislation varies from country to country, the results of this study should be viewed accordingly.

6.2 Methods used in the physical functioning studies (II–IV)6.2.1 Self-report measures (II–IV)

In the same way that patients’ self reports of symptoms are essential in diagnosing chronic diseases, self-report of the symptomatic effects of disability aids our under-standing of disability, in both the clinical and research purposes (Leveille et al. 2004). The self-report measures used in the present study were the FSQ for performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life (III, IV), the MFIS for fatigue (II–IV), and the CES-D for depressive symptoms (III, IV). The aim of these measures was to describe what PwMS do in their current environment, i.e., to describe their performance. Consensus between two health professionals was used to decide which ICF category should be linked to each item/concept in these questionnaires.

The importance in rehabilitation of individually identifying restrictions individually in different domains has been highlighted in previous studies, showing that PwMS can be independent in self-care, while still being limited in instrumental ADL (Finlayson et al. 1998; Mansson and Lexell 2004). In the present study, only the physical function items of the FSQ were included, and these were reclassified to link the results to the ICF categories. Thus, we were able to assess mobility performance separately from the self-care and domestic life items; whereas the previous P-ADL and I-ADL both included mobility items (Coster et al. 2004). The


reclassification of the FSQ items questions according to the ICF needs further study. In the present study, the FSQ scores of “usually did with no difficulty” and “usually did with some difficulty” assessed performance without assistive devices or personal assistance. In clinical practice, the same scores might also be used to assess performance with assistive devices, for example “usually did with much difficulty, requiring aids”. In this way it is possible to assess whether the use of the aids removes the limitations on functioning in specific domains.

The original language of these questionnaires was English. The back-translation method was used in the present study with the FSQ and MFIS. The Finnish CES-D has previously been translated and evaluated with adults aged 65+ (Heikkinen et al. 1997; Lampinen et al. 2000; Heikkinen and Kauppinen 2004; Tiikkainen and Heik-kinen 2005). The FSQ scale has been found to be internally consistent and valid for MS as a quality of life measure (Murphy et al. 1998). The MFIS and CES-D have been shown to be reliable and valid among PwMS (Verdier-Taillefer et al. 2001; Kos et al. 2005), and both have been previously used in several studies among PwMS. The use of the total scores of the MFIS and CES-D was found to be limited, because it was not possible to link the items of the MFIS and CES-D to single component of the ICF. Reliability studies are lacking in the case of the Finnish version of the FSQ and CES-D for PwMS. Thus, estimates of the SEM are missing and consequently their MDC values could not to be calculated. This issue needs to be investigated further.

The disadvantages of using self-report questionnaires, which include larger amounts of missing data, language or reading deficits and the effects of depressive or cognitive symptoms (Smith and Young 2000; Lynch et al. 2005) were minimized by having the interviewer check the form and clarify any questions. In addition, Gold et al. (Gold et al. 2003) did not find cognitive impairment in MS to affect the reliability of self-report health measures.

6.2.2 Clinical measures of physical functioning (II–IV)

In the present study, the PwMS were assessed on several outcome measures in order to measure different aspects of physical functioning in body functions and activi-ties, using the ICF classification as a framework. Instead of developing new outcome measures, existing potential, clinically relevant measures were used in the present studies (II–IV). In this study, the concept of functioning refers to the ICF limitations and restrictions related to a health problem. The relevant ICF domains for ambulatory PwMS were identified, clinical physical functioning measures were selected to each domain on the basis of a review of the literature, and the outcomes were linked to the most precise ICF category. If a measure encompassed different parts, the information in each part was linked to the ICF. For example, 6MWT distance was linked to activi-ties and change in heart rate during the 6MWT to body functions (see Figure 4).


On the basis of the literature search conducted, a rather limited documentation on the reproducibility of the outcome measures used in RCT studies of PwMS was found. The present reliability studies (II) provided estimates of reliability for these selected clinical outcome measures for ambulatory PwMS. Because the measures used to detect important effects related to physical therapy interventions must be valid (i.e., measure what is intended), responsive (i.e., able to detect an important change), and interpretable (i.e., the intended audience must understand the magnitude of the effect) (McHorney 1999; Guyatt et al. 2002), a 2-year-long prospective longitudinal study was conducted in ambulatory PwMS in order to assess the associations between the physical functioning factors in the ICF components and self-reported performance in mobility, self-care and domestic life (III), and to provide estimates of responsiveness for these physical functioning measures (IV).

Subjects, study design and results of the reliability studies (II)

One focus of the present studies (II) was to assess relative and absolute test-retest reli-ability and inter-rater reliability (see Appendix 3). Overall the results showed good reliability, despite some variation in rater scores in the MAS. Poor relative reliability defined as ICC < 0.60 was obtained only for the PCI of the 6MWT in the test-retest reliability study. Relatively low ICC values were found only for velocity moments, the SLR and the 6MWT in the present study. In general, the absolute reliability values were good. A moderate amount of variability was discovered for the Kela Coordination Test, velocity moments and muscle endurance tests. The reliability of each outcome meas-ured was similar to that found in earlier studies with healthy adults or other disease groups (see paper II). The reliabilities found among the measures of activities and body functions in the ICF seem to be on a similar level. The acceptable test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliabilities of these measures found in the present study indicate that they are suitable for both research and clinical practice in ambulatory PwMS.

Theoretically, in addition to the variability attributable to the measure and to the subject (found in the test-retest study), rater differences are expected to influence the results. Thus, both test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability are clinically im-portant, and both of them were studied (II). The results of the present study indicate that written standardized instructions and a brief training period were sufficient for an inexperienced examiner to reach a level of reliability comparable to that of an experienced examiner. In the present study, the PwMS were assumed to be clinically stable. Thus much of the variability (CV) found in this study can be attributed to vari-ation in the performance of PwMS, thus reflecting some of the practical difficulties involved in assessing movement disorders in MS.

The sex distribution in the test-retest reliability study does not represent the distribu-tion of PwMS cohorts in general. Otherwise the participants of the reliability studies represent typical PwMS with a wide spectrum both of disease duration (1–24 years) and age (24–58 years). In addition, the sample of PwMS was selected so as to include


the entire range of EDSS from 0 to 6.5. Thus the samples of reliability studies were representative enough to generalize the results of present studies to similar ambula-tory PwMS populations.

The motivation among the PwMS was high, which might have influenced the results. They occasionally gave subjective feedback, such as feeling they would not do well that day due to a poor night’s sleep, or because the previous day had been a tiring one. These potential errors were uncorrected since they are likely to be present whenever the clinical measurement of subjects is attempted.

The design of the reliability studies were structured to minimize most sources of meas-urement error arising from the environment (distractions, equipment, positioning of subject) or examiner (instructions, visual observation), perhaps even more stringently than would be the case in normal clinical practice. In an attempt to control known risk of error, standardized instructions were used. According to some authors, time of day may influence the values measured, such as hand grip strength (Hamilton et al. 1992). This was taken into account in the study. Conducting the measures at the same time of the day minimized errors due to intra-subject variability. The choice of a 1-week interval between measurements was based on the need to avoid changes in the condition of PwMS while allowing a reasonable period of recovery between sessions.

After the test-retest reliability study the assessment model was re-analyzed. Minor modifications were made to the measure of MVC of the knee extensors (i.e., meas-ured bilaterally), the shoulder tug test was excluded from the study for reasons of poor agreement, and it was concluded that information about the tightness of the hamstring muscles should be gathered when assessing ambulatory PwMS. Thus the passive straight leg raise test (SLR) was added to the study. The standardization of the protocol and instructions of all the measures were re-evaluated after the test-retest reliability study. This may have influenced to the slightly higher ICC values obtained for some variables in the inter-rater reliability study.

Feasibility of a set of measures

A clinically useful instrument should be easy for both PwMS and professional to understand and should be easy to administer (Thompson 1998; Freeman 1999; Ham-mond 2000; Finch et al. 2002). The present set of outcome measures, as examined during the test-retest reliability study (II), seems to fulfil these requirements. Each of the measures used in the study was reasonably short and simple. The whole set of measures was relatively long, but it was found to be safe. The measures were well tolerated by the PwMS without increased fatigue. Thus, these outcome measures are not only reliable, but they are also highly practicable in the clinical setting with am-bulatory PwMS. In clinical assessments, thorough standardization of the procedure to be used is of the utmost importance.


6.3 The cross-sectional study in ambulatory PwMS (III)6.3.1 Study design and subjects

The present study was an exploratory analysis conducted to obtain further insight into the discrepancy between performance in self-care, mobility, and domestic life and to identify the factors underlying performance. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to determine the strength of the independent associations found between the clinically measured physical functioning variables and self-reported performance in mobility, self-care, and domestic life. Only the results of the univariate model were reported, as there was considerable multicolinearity between the factors. The ORs were presented using primary sampling units, thus allowing clinically meaningful implications.

A population-based sample of 120 ambulatory PwMS was studied in this cross-sec-tional study (III). The disease severity in our sample varied from EDSS sore 0 to score 6.5, but overall it focused on ambulatory PwMS and thus the participants were only mildly disabled. Of the PwMS, 69%, 48% and 32% were fully independent reporting no difficulties in self care, in mobility, and in domestic life, respectively. The propor-tion of dependent participants (5% in self-care, 22% in mobility, and 26% in domestic life) is relatively small considering that approximately half of the PwMS had had MS symptoms for over 10 years and that the average disease duration from symptom onset was 12 years. Thus the proportion of dependent participants could be expected to be small compared with the general MS population. In addition, because of the small number of dependent participants in self-care we were not able to analyze the associations between dependent and independent with perceived difficulties in self-care performance.

6.3.2 Associations between clinical measures of physical functioning and performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life

The clinical presentation of MS is highly variable and is characterized by various physi-cal, emotional, and cognitive changes (LaBan et al. 1998). Previous studies indicate that MS causes a range of symptoms, including, but not limited to, muscle weakness, autonomic dysfunction, abnormal gait mechanism, and poor balance (LaBan et al. 1998; Kesselring and Beer 2005). Performance in daily functioning in PwMS has been found to be reduced (Gulick 1998; Freeman 2001; Goverover et al. 2005; Einarsson et al. 2006) and to have a considerable impact on the social roles of PwMS and on the well-being of their families (Hakim et al. 2000). Nevertheless, it has remained unclear how the documented symptoms relate to performance in daily functioning, because symptoms and performance have often been examined separately. Some MS studies have focused on the relation between measures of functional ability and measures of global cognitive status (Rao et al. 1991; Kessler et al. 1992; Beatty et al. 1995). However, to our knowledge, the specific associations between physical functioning and perform-ance in self-care, mobility and domestic life studied here has not been reported earlier in PwMS. Therefore, greater knowledge of the factors that reliably predict perform-


ance in PwMS could improve physiotherapy strategies, thereby enhancing the daily functioning of PwMS and helping them to maintain their ability to live independently in society. The simultaneous assessment of several physical functioning measures and self-reported questionnaires enables direct comparison of the associations and facilitates interpretation of the results.

The results of the present study (III) demonstrate some clear associations, which per-sist after controlling for the effect of age and sex. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Box and Block Test (BBT) of dominant hand, velocity moment with EO, 10MWT time at normal speed, 6MWT distance, and repetitive squatting were the strongest predictors of perceived difficulties in self-care, mobility, and domestic life. When the depend-ent PwMS were compared with those who perceived difficulties, the most significant predictors of mobility and domestic life were change in HR during the 6MWT, stride length and cadence of the 10MWT, MVC of knee extensors, right hand repetitive dumbbell presses, and MAS score for the lower limbs. Further study on the associa-tions between the components of activities and body functions is needed.

The underlying factors in independent and dependent ambulatory PwMS were inves-tigated separately from those PwMS who reported being independent with perceived difficulties. There was an advantage in using the group with perceived difficulties as the comparison group in this study, as minor differences in physical functioning between the groups were more readily found. The results showed that the influence of underlying factors, that is, the results of the physical functioning measures of activities and body functions, was dissimilar in these 3 groups of participants. Significant associations with ADL performance were found even when the independent participants were compared with those who were independent but reported having perceived difficul-ties. Thus, the results show the value of the use of physical functioning measures in detecting these minor decrements in physical functioning which precede and often predict the onset of clinically detectable dependence in performance.

Mobility limitations are thought to be the main factor contributing to physical dis-ability (Chan and Heck 2000). Declines in functional mobility are associated with loss of social connections, reduced participation, and altered abilities to perform self-care, productivity, and leisure activities (Finlayson et al. 1998; Hakim et al. 2000; Einars-son et al. 2006). Thus, it is important to know that the clinical outcome measures of changing and maintaining body position (a410–a429) and walking (a450) can predict perceived limitations in mobility. As the calculations were made using primary sam-pling units, the effects of the associations are quite large. For example, 10MWT time at normal speed was inversely associated with independence in mobility (OR = 0.50), which means that a 1-second faster walking time at normal speed represents a 50% likelihood of being fully independent rather than perceiving difficulties in mobility. The likelihood of being independent rather than perceiving difficulties in mobility increased over 2-fold if the PwMS had a 1-point better score in the BBS (OR = 2.15), and a 1-point lower BBS increased the likelihood of being dependent in mobility by approximately one third (OR = 0.67).


In a previous study by Provinciali et al. (Provinciali et al. 1999), age and disability in MS were not related, while other studies (Confavreux et al. 2003; DiLorenzo et al. 2004) have found a higher prevalence of physical limitations among older than younger PwMS. In our study, older age was associated with dependence in mobility (OR = 1.06) and, inversely, with independence in domestic life (OR = 0.95), compared to those with perceived difficulties. That means that a change in age of a year corresponds to a 5% to 6% probability of being dependent in mobility or perceiving difficulties in domestic life. Age was the only personal ICF factor which predicted ADL performance in the present study. Despite the fact that there were no significant associations between the sex of PwMS and ADL performance, we conducted analyses adjusted by sex and age because of the considerable sex bias in the study group and because a significant age by sex interaction effect has previously been found for ADL (Duran and Fisher 1996; Provinciali et al. 1999; Iezzoni 2004).

As the disease progresses the ability to perform daily functioning is reduced, thus leading to dependence (Finlayson et al. 1998; Mansson and Lexell 2004). Earlier studies have indicated that MS tends to progress over time, but that the course of the disease is unpredictable and individual (Provinciali et al. 1999). This was confirmed by the present study; thus whether dependence or perceived difficulties in ADL perform-ance was not associated with either disease duration since symptom onset or time since diagnosis.

The findings of the present study contribute to the importance of targeting in inter-ventions for fatigue. Half of the PwMS reported significant fatigue; this corresponds to the numbers found in previous studies of fatigue prevalence (Kraft et al. 1986), although in some studies up to 90% of PwMS have been reported as perceiving fatigue (Goldman et al. 2006). One reason for these disparities might be the fact that a clear definition of fatigue is lacking as is a generally approved fatigue measurement scale (Multiple Sclerosis Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines 1998; Flachenecker et al. 2002). On the other hand, fatigue showed only minor significant associations with physical functioning, these mainly appearing in exercise tolerance functions (heart rate, PCI, RPE). Thus, physical functioning measures and the MFIS seem to assess different aspects of functioning. The FSQ score “usually did with some subjective difficulty” can be viewed as containing an element of fatigue. Although it was not possible to link the MFIS to the ICF, in the clinical setting it might be sufficient to assess perceived difficulties in ADL performance by the FSQ to identify PwMS who perceive fatigue as limiting their functioning.

Overall, 40% of PwMS in the present study had depressive symptoms; this corre-sponds to the estimates of 275 to 50% found in previous prevalence studies in which depression has been estimated in PwMS (Goldman et al. 2006). Mental health is a potentially important risk factor for rehabilitation outcome and an independent as-sociation between depressive symptoms and limitations in activities in PwMS has been reported (Gottberg et al. 2007). This association, however, was not clearly found in the present study. Depressive symptoms were a determinant of performance in domestic


life in independent participants with perceived difficulties. It might be that the ef-fort required to participate in domestic life has to be increased and that this causes depressive symptoms. Depression can also hinder a person’s ability to develop coping strategies. Surprisingly, we observed no effect of depressive symptoms on domestic life in dependent participants compared with those who were independent with per-ceived difficulties. In addition, our study did not confirm that good mental health is of importance in self-care or mobility in subjects reporting perceived difficulties or dependence. The effect of the associations between fatigue and depressive symptoms on ADL performance needs further investigation.

6.4 The 2-year prospective longitudinal study of ambulatory PwMS (IV)6.4.1 Study design and subjects

Responsiveness has been defined an instrument’s ability to detect change over time (de Groot et al. 2006), but no consensus in the literature exists on the exact definition of responsiveness. An integrated system for defining clinically meaningful change that combines anchor-based and distribution-based methods, as previously recommended (Crosby et al. 2003; Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006), was adopted in the present study. Anchor-based methods focus on the correspondence between change in the outcome measure of interest and change in an external criterion (Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006) whereas distribution-based methods include those based on statistical significance, sample variability, and measurement precision (Crosby et al. 2003).

In previous studies with MS, the responsiveness of self-reported questionnaires (Hobart et al. 2005; de Groot et al. 2006), measures of health-related quality of life (Pfennings et al. 1999), Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) (Vaney et al. 2004; de Groot et al. 2006), and five other clinical rating scales used in MS research (Sharrack et al. 1999) have been reported. As far as we know, no other findings have been published with regard to the responsiveness of the clinical measures of physical functioning used in PwMS. This dearth of published data raises question about the use of these measures for monitoring clinical recovery of MS or responses to interven-tions, despite the fact that a large number of different outcome measures have been widely used for these purposes.

One of the main criteria for responsiveness (Lohr 2002) is the evidence of changes in the scores of the measure. An important strength of this study is the simultaneous assessment of several physical functioning measures. Head-to-head comparisons of the responsiveness of the measures used in MS will help to determine their relative advantages, thereby enabling an evidence-based choice of measures for research and for clinical practice. By using separate measures for different ICF domains, it is pos-sible to find simple outcomes that have the advantage of being meaningful both for the PwMS and the clinician.


At baseline, the study comprised 120 PwMS from the population-based database. Eleven PwMS (9%) were subsequently lost to follow-up. Participants and drop-outs were similar in sex, age, disease duration from symptom onset, baseline disease sever-ity as assessed by the EDSS, and clinical course of the disease, thus showing the study to have good internal validity.

Longitudinal methods are preferable to cross-sectional methods as the former are more directly linked to change (Lohr 2002; Crosby et al. 2003). Thus, three repeated measures were conducted. Data using changes in scores at 2 years from baseline were analyzed. In future, the use of longitudinal data-analysis techniques might be appropriate. Overall, half of the participant did not report any relapse during the 2-year follow up. About half of the PwMS deteriorated, 31% remained stable and 17% improved according to their own perception, as against to clinician’s ratings of 26%, 67% and 7%. At the time of the measures, the PwMS were without ongoing relapses. Further work is needed to determine whether responsiveness is dependent on the primary level of disability. In addition, future responsiveness studies should focus on more severely disabled (EDSS ≥ 7.0) populations.

6.4.2 Meaningful change in the outcome measures

Among several distribution-based methods, the minimal detectable change (MDC) that relies on variation in the SEM (Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006) was analyzed. Other distribution-based methods evaluate change in relation to sample variation, such as baseline variation in sample (effect size) and variation in change scores (stand-ardized response mean) (Crosby et al. 2003; Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006), and thus are limited indicators of responsiveness, at least to clinical epidemiological data of this kind (Guyatt et al. 2002).

The MDC values found have facilitated the interpretation of score changes in future studies and in clinical practice in ambulatory PwMS. The MDC values can be used by clinicians to assist in determining whether a PwMS has experienced a real change. It is assumed that a real change takes place when the difference in the scores of an individual at two separate points exceeds the MDC. For example, the MDC of 92 meter for the 6MWT distance means that a change of less than 92 meter cannot (with a confidence level of 95%) reliably be interpreted as real change for the individual compared with chance fluctuations. However, if the individual’s 6MWT distance changes over ± 92 meter (i.e., the change noted is likely not due to measurement error), the question follows whether the change is clinically meaningful. Anchor-based methods had to be used in order the address this issue.

Reporting the proportion of participants achieving a degree of change that is beyond measurement error (MDCproportion) is a more informative method for describing natural changes or the effects of interventions than overall mean change. The results showed that, in 61% of the parameters, less than 10% of the participants’ scores exceeded the


MDC, indicating a stable situation in those activities or body functions. However, ac-cording to the external criteria, only 31% of the participants remained stable according to the participants’ own perceptions compared with the 67% rated as stable by the clinician. The MDC seems to be more conservative in detecting change than anchor-based methods. In the present study, a 95% confidence level was used to calculate the MDC and the multiplier of √2 was used to control for the additional uncertainty introduced by using different scores from measurements at 2 points in time (Beaton et al. 2001; Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006). Thus, the precision of the MDC was notably high, indicating that only definite changes in scores were registered. If the MDC is computed using a 90% confidence level, the resulting MDC values will be lower and, therefore, less change will be required for real change.

6.4.3 Relative responsiveness of the physical functioning measures in the sub-sample who deteriorated

In the present study both deterioration and improvement were studied, as the course of the disease is both unpredictable and individual (Confavreux et al. 2003), and previous studies have shown that the responsiveness scores for deterioration and im-provement are not necessarily equal (Cella et al. 2002; de Groot et al. 2006). Overall, 51% showed deterioration according to the participant’s own perception (RAND-36 item) compared to the 26% rated as deteriorated by the clinician (EDSS). Only 19 and 8 PwMS, according to their own perception and according to the clinician’s rating, respectively, showed improvement. The data of those who improved need further analysis and thus are not presented here. The separation of those who deteriorated and improved would increase the homogeneity of the present data and, compared to other traditional methods such as minimally clinically important change (MCID), could raise the responsiveness.

The agreement between the participant’s perceptions and the clinician’s ratings in classifying the participants as deteriorated, stable or improved was poor. As Crosby et al. (2003) have stated, in defining clinically meaningful change, these perspectives may not always be in agreement. One reason for the mismatch might be that the EDSS mainly explores impairments in the physiological functions of body systems (i.e., body functions according to the ICF), whereas the RAND-36 item measures participants’ perceptions of changes in their overall health. This was demonstrated in the present study, where twice as many significant parameters for deterioration were found in body functions according to the EDSS criterion than according to the participants’ perceptions. A meaningful change for the clinician may be linked to a change in disease prognosis. In the ICF terms (WHO 2001), the RAND-36 item we used assesses change in general well-being, including physical, mental, and social aspects. In future studies, it might be much more appropriate to ask specifically about changes in physical functioning.


The present study clearly showed the relative responsiveness of different measures in the sub-sample who deteriorated. We used two anchor-based methods, the ROC curve and the MIC, to analyze the relative responsiveness of the measures. The minimal clinically important difference quantifies the minimal difference that a PwMS or clinician considers clinically important and thus indicates a relevant change in the functioning of the PwMS. Since there appears to be a lack of consensus on how to quantify responsiveness, strict comparison with the literature is difficult. However, the results from the present study can be applied as indicators of approximate thresholds in the utility of physical functioning measures as outcome measures.

Anchor-based approaches require an external, independent standard or anchor against which clinical importance can be assessed. One of the central problems with most measures used in physiotherapy practice is the lack of a clear external criterion to help with the interpretation of the scores (Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006). For instance, what does it mean to the PwMS if he or she is able to lift an additional 5 kg in knee extension? Since a single gold standard for change is lacking (Crosby et al. 2003), not one but two external criteria, self-ratings and a clinician’s rating, each with its own advantages and limitations were used.

One of the limitations of an anchor-based method that relies on self-ratings is their susceptibility to recall bias (Haley and Fragala-Pinkham 2006). Such a method re-quires that participants are mentally able to subtract a previous situation from the present situation (Stratford et al. 1996). A question drawn from the RAND-36, which is widely accepted in MS studies, was used. Although cognitive dysfunction is among the main symptoms of MS, the report by Gold et al. (Gold et al. 2003) provides evi-dence that cognitive impairment in MS does not affect the reliability and validity of self-report health measures. An interval of one year between the successive sets of testing was used in order to minimize this bias and the ratings were combined in the 2-year follow-up.

The EDSS (Kurtzke 1983) is the most frequently used scale for rating disability in MS. Several limitations of the EDSS have been reported, including low reproducibility in the lower ranges of the scale, absence of both high cortical function and arm function measurements, and poor sensitivity (Sharrack et al. 1999; Hobart et al. 2000; Winger-chuk and Weinshenker 2000; Hobart 2003). These might make it relatively unsuitable as an external criterion for change. However, despite this criticism, it is a scale that is very well known among clinicians, and was used in 14 out of 17 physiotherapy RCTs reviewed in the literature search (see Appendix 2). Therefore, we used the EDSS to determine important change from a clinician’s point of view. In our study, the same neurologist assessed the EDSS scores on every measurement session in order to ensure the scale’s reliability.

In the present study, the emphasis was on finding measures that would enable com-parison between the deteriorated and stable groups. Finding such measures would increase our confidence in the measure, as it would imply that the results obtained


would have the same meaning for both the PwMS and the clinician. The selection of the most responsive measure was mainly based on relative responsiveness (highest AUC values) and whether self-ratings and clinician’s rating were comparable. Because of the skewness of the data, the MIC scores for the FSQ, the BBS and the MAS should be interpreted with caution. However, the significance of the MICdeterioration values were consistent with the AUC values computed by using a non-parametric method.

We found several measures that had significant AUC and MIC values for deterioration from both the participants’ and from clinician’s perspectives. These were self-reported performance in ICF activities and participation (FSQ self-care, mobility and domestic life scores); in ICF activities such as fine hand use (BBT of the dominant hand) and walking (10MWT velocities at normal and maximal speeds and 6MWT distance); and in ICF body functions such as exercise tolerance functions (6MWT HR change), gait pattern functions (10MWT stride length and cadence), and muscle endurance functions of the lower extremities (repetitive squatting).

Given that mobility is the paramount aim of physiotherapy, it is important to know whether the measures of walking are among the most responsive. One possible rea-son might be that the EDSS heavily emphasizes mobility. However, the participants’ perceptions showed a similar level of responsiveness. In addition, there is evidence that gait and balance may begin to deteriorate in the early stages of MS, even when the neurological signs are mild (Martin et al. 2006). The present study group consisted of PwMS with mild disability secondary to MS; nevertheless 27% of the PwMS who completed the follow-up study (IV) were not able to manage the Kela Coordination Test. Even it was not shown to be responsive to deterioration, it seemed to be the most demanding measure and thus further studies are needed to examine its suitability for use in determining the early signs of balance problems.

Previous studies of the responsiveness of outcome measures are rare. The responsive-ness of the 10MWT was examined in the study by de Groot et al. (2006). The compari-son of their results with the present study is difficult, because they did not mention whether the 10MWT was conducted at normal speed or at maximum speed. Depending on the external criterion they used, they found in their sample that to exceed meas-urement error a change of 2.6–3.0 s for the 10MWT was required. Their AUC values for the clinician’s and participants’ perspectives [0.69 (95% CI 0.59–0.78); 0.65 (95% CI 0.56–0.74), respectively] were comparable to the present results for the 10MWT. Contrary to the present study, de Groot et al. found that the MIC for the 10MWT did not significantly differ from zero. Both study samples were mildly disabled, but the disease duration was much longer in the present study than that of de Groot et al. (average time since symptoms = 12.3 years and 2.15 years, respectively). Most of the other measures in their study were questionnaires or semistructured interviews, thus not allowing comparison with the present study. (de Groot et al. 2006.)

To the best of our knowledge, no other responsiveness values for PwMS have been reported for the physical functioning measures used in the present study. However,


some studies of other neurological diseases have been presented. In a study of am-bulatory patients with Parkinson’s disease (Lim et al. 2005), MDC values of 0.19 m/s for a comfortable walking speed in the 10MWT, of 13 steps/min for cadence, and of 2.84 points for the BBS were reported. The MDC values of 0.16 m/s for a comfortable walking speed and of 0.18 m/s for maximal walking speed in the 10MWT were found in a study of stroke patients (Kwakkel et al. 2002). These responsiveness values were in accordance with those found the present study. However, the responsiveness of the BBS has been found to be greater when assessed for stroke patients (Stevenson 2001). Stevenson found differences in the MDC values depending on the balance ability of the subjects: the MDC (with 95% confidence level) was 8.1 points for stroke patients who required physical assistance while walking, and 6.1 points for patients who were independently ambulant. The effect of disability on the level of responsiveness in PwMS needs further research.

6.5 Physical functioning in regards to the ICF model6.5.1 Recommendations for assessing ambulatory PwMS

In neurological rehabilitation, there is a need for suitable clinical measures that are based on the biopsychosocial model and a life-long approach (Freeman et al. 1996). In accordance with the earlier studies (Thompson and Hobart 1998; National Col-laborating Centre for Chronic Conditions 2004), the literature search found very few studies that have evaluated the reproducibility of outcome measures in the as-sessment of PwMS. The results of the present thesis produced recommendations for the assessment of ambulatory PwMS which take account of the reliability, feasibility and responsiveness of the measures used and are based on outcomes that genuinely represent the phenomena of interest.

Preventive rehabilitation services and early interventions

Traditionally, physiotherapy interventions have targeted PwMS with definite and more severe limitations in physical functioning. The results (I, III) showed that even in the early stage of MS, when neurologic deficits were relatively minor and PwMS were ambulatory, a major proportion of PwMS were experiencing limitations in physical functioning. This indicates that accurate assessment of physical functioning for setting realistic rehabilitation goals and for reducing or postponing disability should targeted at PwMS who are not yet disabled but are at high risk. Because MS is a progressive condition, PwMS need follow-up assessment at regular intervals (Thompson 2001).

On the basis of the results of the present population-based survey (I), assessments need to be extended to those whose are independent but perceive difficulties in ADL performance. Self-reported difficulties indicates a need for interventions to prevent overload, increased dependence and participation restrictions, thereby enabling PwMS to enhance their ADL performance and independent living in society.


The timing and mode of rehabilitation in PwMS should be set individually, with account taken of the degree or extent of disability, and personal and environmental factors (Kesselring and Beer 2005). Fatigue and balance problems were found to be the most prevalent complaints in independent PwMS (I) and thus interventions in the domains should be carried out from the onset of the disease. In turn, those who reported restrictions in domestic life had greater variation in symptoms; thus effective physiotherapy must address, on the individual level, the full range of impairments in body functions, activity limitations and participation restriction.

Determinants of self-reported performance

In the present research, the ICF was used as a theoretical framework and was found to help in the selection of the most appropriate domains to be assessed. Outcomes were described both by health-care professionals and patient-oriented, as both per-spectives offer different yet complementary information. The clinical presentation of MS is highly variable and thus, instead of using only a single composite score, several different physical functioning measures were used. This constitutes an important value of the present thesis.

Self-reports on self-care, mobility, and domestic life separately were found to be im-portant in evaluating performance in everyday life (III). From a clinical perspective, using the self-report FSQ may facilitate the detection of impaired functioning that would otherwise go unrecognized and may help physiotherapists to value patients’ priorities, particularly in terms of rehabilitation goals.

The results of the cross-sectional study (III) revealed the value of the clinical outcome measures in detecting minor decrements in physical functioning that precede and often predict the onset of clinically detectable dependence in performance. The finding that in particular clinical measures in the ICF activities component predicted poor outcomes in ADL performance is important for health-care professionals. The present recommendations focus on the predictors of perceived difficulties in self-care, mobility and domestic life in ambulatory PwMS, as the proportion of dependent participants in the present study was small compared with the general MS population. The most significant predictors are presented in Figure 12. The selection was based on signifi-cant ORs adjusted for age and sex; or adjusted for age, sex and fatigue, if significant associations were found to change after controlling for the effect of fatigue. The MAS scores were excluded as they did not reach an acceptable level of reliability.

All the outcome measures in the present thesis were classified according to the ICF level of assessment they include. The ICF seemed to be a useful tool to examine and compare the contents of the physical functioning measures used in this study. The categories of activities and body functions used in the present study correspond to the ICF domains that were aimed by physiotherapy in a neurological community health care situation (Finger et al. 2006), with the exception that there is an obvious need to


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assess respiratory functions in more severely disabled PwMS. These results support the view that body functions and activities and their inter-relationship are the main areas of competence among physiotherapists (Soukup and Vollestad 2001; Gustavsen and Mengshoel 2003; Finger et al. 2006). Future studies are needed to examine the associations between the activity and body function domains in order to determine, for example, the predictors of walking ability.

Spasticity is a phenomenon which affects the independent functioning of PwMS during the course of their disease. The measure used in the present study, the MAS, was known to be subjective and have questionable reliability (Bohannon and Smith 1987; Nuyens et al. 1994; Blackburn et al. 2002). However, it was chosen because it was the most commonly used clinical scale for the measurement of spasticity. The present study (II) was unable not adequately to test the reliability of the MAS due to the infrequency of the occurrence of grades 3 and 4 (i.e., severe spasticity). Its use was found to be limited in the case of high-functioning ambulatory PwMS, and thus the MAS was not considered when the predictive measures were chosen. During the last few years, many clinical and laboratory-based methods have been developed and studied to measure spasticity. e.g., the Anglo-Dutch spasticity measurement tool, the Tardieu scale, and the Resistance to Passive movement (Haugh et al. 2006; Platz et al. 2007; Voerman et al. 2007). However, further research is needed to find a reliable and valid measure to quantify spasticity in PwMS.

The findings of the present studies (I, III) contribute to the importance of targeting in interventions for fatigue. The MFIS were found to be a reliable (II) and responsive measure of deterioration from the PwMS perspective (IV), but the linking of MFIS items to the ICF needs further studies and limits the use of the MFIS. As a clear defini-tion of fatigue is lacking, as is a generally approved fatigue measurement scale (Multiple Sclerosis Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines 1998; Flachenecker et al. 2002), the FSQ score “usually did with some subjective difficulty” can be viewed to contain an aspect of fatigue and might be sufficient to identify PwMS who have fatigue.

Restrictions in performance are not necessarily a consequence of activity limitations or impairments in body functions only, but may also be an effect of properties of the physical environment (WHO 2001; Schneidert et al. 2003; Iezzoni 2004). How-ever, in the present study, the impact of the environmental factors included in the ICF was not evaluated in performance. In clinical practice, it is important to ensure that rehabilitation efforts include measures to improve the physical environment of PwMS as well as to address personal factors or resources that are important in the rehabilitation process. Several self-reported measures of environmental factors have been developed, for example the Facilitators And Barriers Survey of environmental influences on participation by Gray et al. (2007), which could be a potentially useful measure in PwMS.


The most responsive physical functioning measures

The results of this thesis include that a minimum set of reliable, responsiveness and clinical usefulness outcome measures in ambulatory PwMS should include both self-reported performance scales in self-care, mobility and domestic life, and clinical outcomes measures. The selection of the most responsive measure was based on rela-tive responsiveness (AUC and MICdeterioration) from the PwMS perspective. A summary of the results obtained for the proposed measures is presented in Figure 13.

It is important to identify early decline, using responsive measures, in order to plan delay in progression. Since there appears to be a lack of consensus on how to quantify responsiveness, strict comparison with the literature is difficult. The responsiveness of clinical measures of physical functioning in ambulatory PwMS has not been reported adequately in the literature. Thus, the results of the present study can be applied as

Figure 13. Summary of the results in the ICF framework concerning the most responsive outcome measures from the

PwMS perspective; the intra class correlation (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) values for test-retest

reliability, the minimal detectable change (MDC), and the relative responsiveness (the minimally important change

[MIC]) in the sub-sample who deteriorated compared to the stable group (MICdeterioration

).

Test-retest ICC = 0.80 (95% CI, 0.62–0.91),

MDC = 21 beats/minMIC = –5.2 beats/min (95% CI, –10.2–

Test-retest ICC = 0.91 (95% CI, 0.83–0.96),

MDC = 23 cmMIC = –6.5 cm (95% CI, –11.7–

Test-retest ICC = 0.79 (95% CI, 0.61–0.90), with SEM 5.7 steps/minMDC = 16 steps/min MIC = –6.9 steps/min (95% CI, –10.1–

Test-retest ICC = 0.91 (95%MDC = 0.26 m/sMIC = –0.14 m/s (95% CI, –0.21–

Test-retest ICC = 0.95 (95%MDC = 0.26 m/sMIC = –0.11 m/s (95% CI, –0.20–

Test-retest ICC = 0.96 (95% CI, 0.91–0.98), with SEM 30.7 mMDC = 92 mMIC = –53.4 m (95% CI, –78.0–

Test-retest ICC = 0.87 (95% CI, 0.72–0.95), with SEM 3.5 n/min MDC = 8 number/min MIC = –3.5 number/min (95% CI, –6.8–

Test-retest ICC = 0.85 (95% CMDC = 2 pointsMIC = –1.4 points (95% CI, –3.0–0.2) for deterioration

MIC = –10.5 (95% CI, –17.8–

MIC = –7.2 (95% CI, –13.6–

H

ealth

prof

essi

onal

’s p

ersp

ectiv

ePw

MS

pers

pect

ive

--

Perf

orm

ance

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

-C

apac

ity -

- -

- -

- -

--

Body Functions Activities and Participation

BBT of dominant hand (number/ min) (a440) −−− –0.1) for deterioration BBS score (0– 56 points) (a410–a429)− I, 0.72–0.94), with SEM 0.8 points −−

10MWT velocity (m/s) at normal speed (a450)− CI, 0.81–0.96), with SEM 0.1 m/s −− –0.07) for deterioration

10MWT velocity (m/s) at maximal speed (a450) − CI, 0.90–0.98), with SEM 0.1 m/s −− –0.01) for deterioration

6MWT distance (m) (a450) −−− –28.7) for deterioration

6MWT HR change (beats/min) (b455) −

with SEM 9.0 beats/min−− –0.2)

Stride length (cm) at normal speed 10MWT (b770)−

−− –1.3) for deterioration

Cadence (steps/min) at normal speed 10MWT (b770) −

−− –3.8)

Ambulatory persons with Multiple Sclerosis

FSQ Self-care (0–100) (d510–d560)MIC = –8.0 (95% CI, –12.0–− –4.1) for deterioration

FSQ Mobility (0–100) (d450–d475) − –0.8) for deterioration FSQ Domestic life (0–100) (d610–d640)− –3.2) for deterioration

Environmental Factors Personal Factors

for deterioration

for deterioration

with SEM 6.1 cm


indicators of the utility of physical functioning measures as outcome measures. Further work is needed to determine whether responsiveness is dependent on the primary level of disability.

In addition to the outcome measures presented in Figure 13, the MSFC could be used as a measure of disease severity (Kaufman et al. 2000; Vaney et al. 2004; de Groot et al. 2006) and health-related quality of life (Pfennings et al. 1999) as a measure of the overall effectiveness of rehabilitation from the PwMS perspective.

Clinical implications

Outcome measures should have clinical usefulness and relevance, a low responder burden and be easy to understand, concise and time-efficient (Thompson 1998; Free-man 1999; Hammond 2000; Finch et al. 2002; Auger et al. 2006). In the present study (II–IV), the measures used were well tolerated by the PwMS and were found to be practicable in the clinical setting with ambulatory PwMS. The measures can be used in the same measurement session or a physiotherapist can choose the domains and outcome measures according to what is considered important for individual PwMS or the objectives of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists should understand the rationale for each measure and be able to interpret of the results according the ICF concept. The ICF-based sheet based might be a useful tool for identifying and documenting PwMS complaints and clinical findings (see figure 13, adapted from Cieza and Stucki 2004).

The test-retest reliability of the outcome measures used is important, because re-peated measurement situations are susceptible to several sources of error, including the PwMS, tester, and equipment errors (Freeman 1999; Finch et al. 2002). As seen in Figure 13, most of the selected outcome measures had high relative reliability (ICC ≥ 0.80) (II). In the individual assessments, the SEM values (II) expressed in the actual units of the measure, represent the absolute reliability, i.e., the SEM values could be used to ascertain whether the difference in measurements is real or due to measure-ment error. In clinical practice, the physiotherapist should be aware of the potential errors inherent in their clinical measurements and thorough standardization of the procedure is of the utmost important. In order to draw valid conclusions from self-report questionnaires, the physiotherapist must ensure that the PwMS understand the instructions and questions and responded as intended.

It is necessary to understand the clinical importance of the results for responsiveness. Changes smaller than the MDC cannot be reliably interpreted as real changes in an individual’s score (IV). However, it should be remembered that the precision of the MDC used in the present study was very high because of the acceptable 95% confi-dence level and the multiplier of √2, indicating that only definite changes in scores were noted. Thus, the MDC seems to be more strictly in detecting change compared to the MICdeterioration. The latter quantifies the minimal difference that PwMS consider


clinically important and indicates a relevant change in functioning in the subsample that deteriorated.

The difficulty of using any one scale to cover the range from extremely severe limita-tions to only minor limitations and a high level of functioning is well known (Schapiro 2002). The focus of the present study was on ambulatory PwMS. Thus, the outcome measures are recommended for use in ambulatory PwMS in the context of the assess-ment of physical functioning. Further work is needed to determine whether reliability and responsiveness is dependent on the primary level of disability. Future prospec-tive studies with representative population samples are also needed to establish the reliability, responsiveness and clinical usefulness of the outcome measures in more severely disabled (EDSS ≥ 7.0) PwMS. In the future, by using standardized outcome measures the effectiveness of interventions could be studied in more detail.

6.5.2 Usefulness of the ICF

One of the objectives of the ICF is to provide a scientific basis for understanding and studying health and health-related states, outcomes, and determinants. For the ICF to be truly useful as a framework for research, it is critical that the classification con-tains distinct and measurable domains (Jette 2006). Thus, in the present thesis the constructs of clinical physical functioning measures and the self-report questionnaires were linked to the most precise ICF domain and category. The linking process furthers understanding of the relationship between outcome measures and the ICF. The ICF can be very helpful in clarifying the information contained in existing measures, and objectively describing impairments, limitations in activities and restrictions in participation.

The process of developing systematic approaches to establishing linkages between existing measures and the ICF is an important one in the ongoing attempt to create an international language and measurement standard. Recently, several rehabilita-tion outcome studies for this purpose have been published, for example, for stroke rehabilitation (Salter et al. 2005a, b and c), for rheumatology and musculoskeletal rehabilitation (Stamm et al. 2004), for mental disorders (Brockow et al. 2004), and for osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and stroke (Weigl et al. 2003; Borchers et al. 2005; Geyh et al. 2007). In the present study, the linking of clinical measures was relatively easy to conduct, whereas linking of the existing questionnaires of fatigue (the MFIS) and depressive symptoms (the CES-D) to the ICF were not straightforward, as has been found in earlier studies (Cieza et al. 2002; Stucki et al. 2003; Jette et al. 2007). The item-to-item mapping recommendations published by Cieza et al. (2002 and 2005) after the present study was conducted is warmly recommended for use in future linking process.

In contrast, it was not possible to link the self-reported performance categories of the FSQ clearly either to the activities or the participation component of the ICF. These


finding is in line with the latest analyses of Jette et al. concerning patients with post acute care (Jette et al. 2007). The WHO has also acknowledged the problem, and four alternative options are allowed in the ICF manual (WHO 2001). Thus, in the present study the analysis was conducted for both activities and participation by allowing total overlap of domains using performance qualifiers (option 4). The categories used in the present study to measure self-reported ADL performance resemble those by Jette et al. (2003). The aim of the FSQ was to describe what PwMS do in their current environment, i.e., to describe their performance (WHO 2001). This is distinct from capacity, which indicates the highest probable level of functioning that a person may reach in a standardized environment (WHO 2001). This distinction might be one reason for the poor associations between self-report questionnaires and ADL measures conducted by health-care professionals (Goverover et al. 2005), rather than merely inaccurate measurement.

Some recent studies have attempted to develop new ICF-based measures, such as a measure for the impact of the MS (the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Profile [MSIP]) (Wy-nia et al. 2007), a questionnaire for the assessment of mobility, self-care and domestic life (the MOSES questionnaire) (Farin et al. 2007), and a measure for surveying daily activities (Activity Measure for post-acute care) (Haley et al. 2004b). The challenge in the development of measures is to examine the applicability of the ICF, and work on evaluation needs to be done to demonstrate that they actually live up to their potential within the rehabilitation environment.

The use of a core set of standardized outcome measures which cross all domains of the ICF could facilitate the comparison of results from different studies and meta-analyses. Since functioning is an important outcome for PwMS, an effort to develop the ICF core sets for MS was launched in 2007 (Coenen et al. 2007). Some preliminary find-ings have recently been published (Khan and Pallant 2007a and b). A total of 170 ICF categories were identified in the cross-sectional survey of 101 PwMS and the average number of perceived problems reported was 18 (Khan and Pallant 2007a). To identify the preliminary comprehensive and brief core sets for MS, a Delphi process using the ICF was conducted by Khan and Pallant (2007b). Their comprehensive MS ICF core set includes 34 (24%) categories from the component body function, 68 (47%) from activities and participation and 36 (25%) from the component environmental factors. Even the brief set comprises 21% categories (n = 30) of the comprehensive core set. As seen from the above, several categories are found, mainly because of the highly variable manifestations of MS. Thus, further research is needed.

Because the ICF now contains the neutral terms body functions and structures and activities and participation as compared with the prior negative terms impairment, disability, and handicap, it very much conforms to the positive view and the resource-oriented perspective of physical therapists. The use of the ICF framework helps health-care professionals understand a PwMS individual functioning and disability. The ICF is also a language that can be understood by patients. Therefore, the documenta-tion of intervention categories based on the ICF may enable a focus on the needs of


PwMS and improve communication with them. The ICF model is being increasingly utilized in clinical practice to structure patient problems and describe rehabilitation intervention (Steiner et al. 2002; Cieza and Stucki 2004; Wade 2005; Rimmer 2006). The simultaneous application of the ICF and physical functioning measures demon-strates the usefulness of the ICF in creating a common language for clinical practice, teaching, and research, and thus improves the comparability of clinical trials. The challenges that surround the measurement of ICF concepts need to be resolved, and consequently much more research is needed in this area.


7 CONCLUSIONS

The main goal of this thesis was to examine the psychometric properties of selected physical functioning measures in ambulatory persons with MS (PwMS) and, more globally, to illustrate the impact on the interpretation of the results. In this study, we were able to examine a representative, population-based sample of ambulatory PwMS (EDSS ≤ 6.5). The design of the present study matches the usual care of PwMS, which increases the validity of the results.

The main findings and conclusions of the thesis can be summarized as follows:

1 The results of the population-based survey revealed that the disability progno-sis for PwMS may be rather more benign than has previously been recognized. However, even in the early stage of MS, when neurologic deficits were relatively minor and PwMS were ambulatory, a major proportion of PwMS were experi-encing limitations in physical functioning. Thus, although PwMS were coping independently, for many it was necessary to put additional effort into managing in daily life. The proportion of working PwMS was relatively small considering their high level in activities and participation.

2 On the basis of the results of the reliability study, the present outcome measures can be used with confidence in research and clinical setting, providing there is a thorough standardization of the procedure. The measures can be safely used in the same measurement session or a physiotherapist can choose from among the domains and outcome measures according to what is considered important for the individual PwMS or the objectives of physiotherapy. The ICF was found to be helpful in clarifying the information contained in the existing measures, and in objectively describing the physical functioning of ambulatory PwMS.

3 In the present cross-sectional study the most relevant factors underlying self-re-ported performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life with respect to activity limitations and impairments in body functions in PwMS were identified, and the complexity of the interactions between the different ICF categories revealed. The individual course of the disease confirmed as dependence or perceived difficul-ties in ADL performance, was not associated with disease duration. The most significant predictors of perceived difficulties or dependence in performance included: (1) lower scores in the Box and Block Test; (2) lower Berg Balance Scale scores; (3) greater velocity moment when standing with eyes open; (4) slower 10-meter walk test times and shorter stride length at normal speed; and (5) shorter distance in the six-minute walk test.

4 A combination of anchor- and distribution-based approaches we used to deter-mine the responsiveness of various physical functioning measures in ambulatory PwMS during a 2-year follow-up. The measures most responsive to deterioration were the FSQ self-care, mobility and domestic life items; distance and change


in heart rate during the 6-minute walk test; the 10-meter walk test velocities, stride length and cadence, repetitive squatting; and the Box and Block Test of the dominant hand. In addition, the minimal detectable changes (MDCs) provide an estimate of the magnitude of the change found in clinical epidemiological data, thereby helping to interpret the results.

The ICF was found to be helpful in supplementing the information provided by the measures and in describing the physical functioning of ambulatory PwMS. The results of the present study have some implications for the future prevention of dis-ability. The course of the disease was found to be unpredictable and individual since dependence or perceived difficulties in performance was not associated with either disease duration since symptom onset or time since diagnosis. Instead of continuing disability prevention as secondary or tertiary treatment with already disabled PwMS, prevention should focus on the early stages of disability. The monitoring of physical functioning should be extended to those independent PwMS who report difficulties in performance, thereby enabling them to enhance their functioning, performance, working ability and independent living in society. By using responsive measures it is possible to identify early decline of physical functioning in order to plan delay in progression. The study provides recommendations for the use of a core set of outcome measures and determines the minimal clinically relevant difference required to detect a treatment effect for future trials and for use in clinical settings.


8 YHTEENVETOTausta ja tavoitteet

Multippeliskleroosi eli keskushermoston pesäkekovettumatauti (MS-tauti) on merkittävä toimintarajoitteiden aiheuttaja erityisesti nuorilla ja keski-ikäisillä. Se ilmenee tavallisimmin 20–40 vuoden iässä ja on naisilla yli kaksinkertainen mie-hiin verrattuna. Sairauden esiintyvyyserot maan eri osien välillä ovat hyvin suuret. Etelä-Pohjanmaalla tautia esiintyy noin 200:lla 100 000:ta asukasta kohden, kun taas Keski-Suomessa 105:llä 100 000:ta asukasta kohden. Kaikkiaan Suomessa arvioitiin olevan noin 6 000 MS-tautia sairastavaa henkilöä vuonna 2000.

MS-tauti on pitkäaikaissairaus, jolla on laajoja vaikutuksia yksilön toimintakykyyn, hyvinvointiin, koettuun terveyteen ja osallistumiseen eri elämänalueilla. MS-taudin kulku on hyvin vaihteleva ja vaikeasti ennakoitavissa. On arvioitu, että noin kol-masosalla MS-tauti aiheuttaa vaikea-asteisia toiminnan rajoituksia, kun taas noin neljäsosalle sairastuneista ei vuosikymmenienkään aikana kehity mitään merkittäviä toimintakyvyn rajoitteita. Kelan tilastojen mukaan vuonna 2000 eläkkeellä oli 2 919 MS-tautia sairastavaa (1,1 % kaikista eläkkeensaajista), Kelan vammais- tai hoito-tukea sai 2 062, kuntoutuspalveluita 1 769 ja korvauksia lääkekustannuksista 3 006 MS-tautia sairastavaa.

Pätevä tieto eri sairausryhmien vaikutuksista toimintakykyyn ja sen muutoksiin ovat terveyspolitiikan tärkeä lähtökohta ja arviointiväline (Sosiaali- ja terveysminis-teriö 2006). Tätä tietoa tarvitaan myös kuntoutuksessa ja muussa kliinisessä työssä sekä toiminnanvajavuuksiin liittyviä etuuksia koskevia päätöksiä tehtäessä. Koko-naisvaltaista kartoitusta MS-tautia sairastavien fyysisestä toimintakyvystä ja siinä tapahtuvista muutoksista sekä toimintarajoitteisiin liittyvistä tekijöistä ei Suomessa ole aiemmin tehty.

Fyysistä toimintakykyä voidaan arvioida monenlaisilla menetelmillä, jotka voivat perustua henkilön itsearviointiin tai terveydenhuoltoalan ammattilaisen tekemään mittaukseen. Mittarin tulee olla validi ja reliaabeli, sopia sille ryhmälle, jota on tarkoi-tus arvioida, ja lisäksi sen tulee kyetä erittelemään tutkittavaa ilmiötä ja mittaamaan muutosta. MS-taudin fysioterapiasta tehdyn kirjallisuuskatsauksen perusteella sekä tuki- ja liikuntaelimistöön ja liikkeisiin liittyviin toimintoihin että liikkumiseen kohdistuvissa satunnaistetuissa tutkimuksissa (RCT) käytettiin mittareita, joissa vain harvoissa reliabiliteetti oli raportoitu MS-tautia sairastavilla.

Tämän väitöskirjan tavoitteena oli kuvailla MS-tautia sairastavien toimintakykyä ja selvittää käytössä olevien fyysistä toimintakykyä arvioivien mittareiden psykomet-risia ominaisuuksia ja kliinistä käyttökelpoisuutta kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla henkilöillä. Toimintakykyä tarkasteltiin kansainvälisen Toimintakyvyn, toiminta-rajoitteiden ja terveyden kansainvälisen luokituksen (ICF) viitekehyksessä. Väitöskirja koostui neljästä osatyöstä, joiden tarkoitus oli


− kuvata Keski-Suomen alueella asuvien MS-tautia sairastavien toimintakykyä ja erityisesti koettua suoritustasoa itsestä huolehtimisessa, liikkumisessa ja koti-elämässä

− arvioida fyysisen toimintakyvyn mittareiden käyttökelpoisuutta ja reliabiliteettia kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla henkilöillä

− selvittää koettua suoristustasoa ennustavia tekijöitä kävelevillä MS-tautia sairas-tavilla henkilöillä tutkimalla kliinisten fyysisten toimintakykymittareiden ja itse arvioidun suorituskyvyn välisiä yhteyksiä

− analysoida fyysisten toimintakykymittareiden herkkyyttä osoittaa kliinisesti merkitsevää muutosta.

Aineisto ja menetelmät

Tämän väestötutkimuksen perusjoukon muodostivat Keski-Suomen alueella vuonnaämän väestötutkimuksen perusjoukon muodostivat Keski-Suomen alueella vuonna 2000 asuneet Poserin kriteerein varmaa MS-tautia sairastavat (n = 277). Toiminta-kyvyn tasoa kartoittava kysely lähetettiin 266 MS-tautia sairastavalle (11 suljettiin pois eettisin perustein), joista siihen vastasi 240 (90 %). Heistä naisia oli 75 % (n = 179) ja miehiä 25 % (n = 61). Heidän keski-ikänsä oli 48 vuotta (vaihteluväli 20–76 vuotta) ja sairauden kesto ensioireesta keskimäärin 16 vuotta (vaihteluväli 0–56 vuotta). Kyse-lyyn vastanneet, vastaamatta jättäneet ja tutkimuksesta pois suljetut henkilöt eivät eronneet toisistaan iältään, sairautensa kululta eivätkä sairautensa kestolta.

Mittareiden psykometrisia ominaisuuksia ja kliinistä käyttökelpoisuutta käsittele-vien tutkimusten aineisto koostui itsenäisesti tai apuvälinein kävelevistä MS-tautia sairastavista henkilöistä. Valintakriteerinä oli, että neurologin tekemässä sairauden vaikeusasteen arvioinnissa EDSS-luokka (Expanded Disability Status Scale) tuli olla enintään 6,5.

Reliabiliteettitutkimukseen osallistuneet valittiin mittauksia edeltäneen kolmen kuukauden aikana neurologin vastaanotolla käyneistä kävelevistä MS-tautia sairasta-vista. Tutkimuksessa mittareiden reliabiliteettia tarkasteltiin mittauksen pysyvyyden kannalta sekä eri mittauskertojen välillä (n = 19) että eri testaajien välillä (n = 9). Li-säksi mittareiden soveltuvuutta MS-tautia sairastaville arvioitiin eri mittauskertojen välisen tutkimuksen yhteydessä. Tutkimuksessa käytetyt fyysisen toimintakyvyn osa-alueita arvioivat mittarit valittiin jo olemassa olevista menetelmistä niin, että kuusi kohdistui ICF-luokituksen suoritukset-osa-alueelle ja seitsemän ruumiin/kehon toiminnot -osa-alueelle. Näistä laskettiin useita erilaisia muuttujia, jotka luokiteltiin ICF-luokituksen kuvauskohteisiin.

Kahden vuoden seurantatutkimukseen kutsuttiin kyselytutkimuksen perusteella kaikki kävelevät MS-tautia sairastavat, joiden diagnoosi oli varmistettu ennen 1.8.2000 (n = 153). Heistä 10 suljettiin pois muun sairauden takia ja 23 ei halunnut osallistua.


Seurantatutkimuksessa käytettiin reliabiliteettitutkimuksessa hyviksi havaittuja fyy-sisen toimintakyvyn mittareita yhdessä kyselylomakkeiden kanssa, jossa tutkittava arvioi mielialaa (CES-D) ja MS-fatiikkia (MFIS) sekä omaa suoritustasoaan itsestä huolehtimisessa, liikkumisessa ja kotielämässä (FSQ-kysely).

Seurantatutkimuksen tutkimusjoukosta (n = 120) 90 oli naisia ja 30 miehiä ja (keski- ikä 45 vuotta; vaihteluväli 20–71 vuotta). Sairauden kesto oireiden alusta oli keski-määrin 12 vuotta (vaihteluväli 1–39 vuotta) ja EDSS-luokka vaihteli nollan ja 6,5:n välillä (mediaani 2,0). Ensimmäisen mittauskerran poikkileikkausaineistosta ana-lysoitiin koettua suoristustasoa ennustavia tekijöitä multinomiaalisen logistisen regressionanalyysin avulla laskemalla ikä- ja sukupuolivakioidut ristitulosuhteet (odds ratio, OR).

Kahden vuoden seurantatuloksista analysoitiin fyysisessä toimintakyvyssä tapahtu-neita muutoksia. Seurantaan osallistuneiden (n = 109) ja tutkimuksen keskeyttäneiden (n = 11; 10 keskeytti ja 1 kuoli) välillä ei ollut tilastollisesti merkitseviä eroja suku-puolessa, iässä, sairauden kestossa, sairauden kulussa eikä alkutilanteen sairauden vaikeusasteessa EDSS-luokituksella arvioituna. Kliinisesti merkitsevää muutosta ana-lysoitiin ROC-käyrän ja pienimmän merkitsevän muutoksen (minimally important change, MIC) avulla. Ulkoisina kriteereinä käytettiin sekä tutkittavan omaa arviota terveydentilan muutoksesta perustuen RAND-36-elämänlaatukyselyn kysymykseen että neurologin tekemää EDSS-luokitusta. Lisäksi tutkimuksessa laskettiin kullekin muuttujalle minimimuutos (minimal detectable change, MDC).

Tulokset

Toimintakykyä kartoittavaan kyselytutkimukseen osallistuneista 240:stä MS-tautia sairastavasta 16 %:lla ei ollut mitään MS-oireita tutkimushetkellä. Eniten arkielämän toiminnanrajoitteisiin liittyivät fatiikki (36 %), tasapainon epävarmuus (29 %) ja kävely-vaikeudet (28 %). MS-tautia sairastavista 61 % oli koko- tai osa-aikaeläkkeellä ja lähes puolet sai Kelan hoito- tai vammaisetuuksia. Fysioterapiaa Kelan kustantamana sai 62 henkilöä ja terveyskeskuksen toteuttamana 48 henkilöä. Keskimääräinen fysio-terapiakertojen määrä oli 51 kertaa vuodessa ja enimmillään 120 kertaa vuodessa.

MS-tautia sairastavista 195 (82 %) koki olevansa itsenäisiä itsestä huolehtimisessa ja 127 (53 %) kotielämään liittyvissä askareissa sekä 122 (51 %) ilmoitti kykenevänsä kävelemään ilman vaikeuksia. Itsenäisestä selviytymisestä huolimatta kuitenkin varsin iso osa koki jonkinasteista hankaluutta etenkin raskaimmissa kotipuuhissa. Kotielämän askareissa itsenäisesti selviytyvistä noin puolet koki, että selviytymiseen liittyi väsymystä tai muuta vaikeutta. Vastanneista 10 % ei kyennyt lainkaan huoleh-timaan pukeutumisesta, peseytymisestä tai vastaavista toimista ilman apua eikä 20 % kotielämään liittyvissä askareista. 38 % käytti säännöllisesti liikkumisen apuvälinettä. Keskimääräinen sairauden kesto oireiden alusta pysyvään apuvälineen käyttämiseen


oli 13 vuotta (vaihteluväli 1–34 vuotta). MS-taudin vaikutukset olivat yksilölliset ja näkyivät selvemmin 20 vuoden jälkeen itsensä hoidossa (pesut, pukeutuminen ym.) ja 10 vuoden jälkeen kävelykyvyssä ja kotielämän askareiden hoidossa.

Fyysistä toimintakykyä arvioivien mittareiden reliabiliteetti osoittautui riittäväksi usealla eri menetelmällä tarkasteltuna (ICC, SEM, CV, Bland-Altman). Ainoastaan spastisuutta ja asentoheijasteita arvioivat mittarit eivät täyttäneet reliabiliteettivaa-timuksia. Käytetyt mittarit osoittautuivat hyvin soveltuviksi kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla. Keskimääräinen aika kaikkien testien tekemiseen, sisältäen myös tarvittavat lepotauot, oli 74 minuuttia (vaihteluväli 64–91 minuuttia). MS-taudin pahenemisvaiheita ei ilmaantunut eikä kolme mittauskertaa viikon välein lisännyt tutkittavien kokemaa MS-fatiikkia.

Poikkileikkausaineiston kävelevät MS-tautia sairastavat kokivat vaikeutta tai avuntar-vetta eniten kotielämästä suoriutumisessa ja liikkumisessa. Fyysisen toimintakyvyn mittareilla voitiin havaita niitä vähäisiä muutoksia, jotka usein edeltävät ja ennustavat koettuun suoritustasoon ilmaantuvia rajoituksia. Erityisesti ICF-luokituksen suori-tukset-osa-alueen mittarit ennustivat huonoa suoritustasoa. Selkeimmin yhteydessä kävelevien MS-tautia sairastavien itsensä hoidossa, liikkumisessa ja kotielämässä kokemiin rajoituksiin olivat 1) alhaisemmat pisteet käden toimintoja arvioivassa Box and Block -testissä, 2) pienempi pistemäärä Bergin tasapainotestissä, 3) suurempi huo-junnan nopeus voimalevyanturilla silmät auki seistessä, 4) hitaampi aika 10 metrin kävelytestissä sekä omalla että maksiminopeudella tehtynä ja lyhyempi askelparin pituus oman nopeuden testissä ja 5) lyhyempi matka 6 minuutin kävelytestissä.

Kahden vuoden seurannassa 51 % kävelevistä MS-tautia sairastaneista koki terveyden-tilansa huonontuneen oman arvioinnin perusteella (RAND-36; kysymys 2) verrattuna niihin 26 %:iin, joiden sairauden vaikeusaste heikkeni neurologin tekemän arvioinnin mukaan (EDSS-luokan muutos ≥ 1). Fyysisen toimintakyvyn heikentymistä herkim-min arvioivat mittarit olivat 1) omaa koettua selviytymistä itsensä hoidossa, liikku-misessa ja kotielämässä arvioiva FSQ-kysely, 2) matka ja sykkeen muutos 6 minuutin kävelytestissä, 3) 10 metrin kävelytestin nopeus omalla ja maksimivauhdilla sekä askelparin pituus ja askeltiheys 4) Invalidisäätiön toistokyykistystesti ja 5) Box and Block -testi. Minimimuutos, joka vaaditaan, jotta muutos on suurempi kuin mittarin mittavirhe, ilmoitetaan jokaiselle muuttujalle erikseen.

Päätelmät

Tutkimusaineisto on väestöpohjainen kohortti, ja se käsittää 277 MS-tautia sairastavaa henkilöä, joista 240 osallistui toimintakykyä kartoittavaan kyselytutkimukseen ja heistä 120 kävelevälle MS-tautia sairastavalle on tehty kahden vuoden prospektiivinen seuranta. Näin ollen pystyttiin tutkimaan edustava joukko MS-tautia sairastavia, ja tämä mahdollisti tulosten yleistettävyyden.


Kaikkinensa Keski-Suomen alueella vuonna 2000 asuneiden MS-tautia sairastanei-den kokema selviytyminen arkielämän toiminnoissa antoi varsin suotuisan kuvan toimintakyvystä vastaten uusimpien kansainvälisten tutkimusten tuloksia. Kuitenkin sairauden aiheuttamat toiminnanrajoitukset ja vaikutukset osallistumiseen näkyivät selkeästi mm. siinä, että varsin iso osa tutkittavista MS-tautia sairastavista oli pois työelämästä sekä tarvitsi fysioterapiaa ja erilaisia sosiaali- ja vammaisetuuksia.

Tässä tutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin jo olemassa olevia fyysisen toimintakyvyn mittareita ja todettiin ne käyttökelpoiseksi. Tutkimuksessa käytetty laaja fyysistä toimintakykyä arvioiva testipatteristo ei aiheuttanut haittaa MS-tautia sairastaville. Näin ollen niitä voidaan turvallisesti käyttää kliinisessä työssä. Arviointitilanne on standardoitava ja ohjeita tulee noudattaa, jotta jokainen arviointikerta olisi mahdollisimman saman-lainen ja tulokset luotettavia.

Tulosten perusteella voidaan todeta, että MS-taudin kulku on yksilöllinen ja vaihteleva eivätkä avuntarve tai koetut vaikeudet arkielämän suoritustasossa olleet yhteydessä sairauden kestoon. Koetut vaikeudet, kuten esimerkiksi kotielämään liittyvissä as-kareissa haittaava väsymys, ovat ennakoiva merkki toimintakyvyn heikkenemisestä ja edellyttävät kuntoutusinterventioita lisääntyvien toiminnanrajoitusten vähentä-miseksi tai lykkäämiseksi. Seurannan ja arvioinnin tulee ulottua myös niihin MS-tautia sairastaviin, jotka suoriutuvat itsenäisesti mutta kokevat siinä vaikeuksia, eikä pelkästään säännöllistä apua tarvitseviin henkilöihin. Tällä tavoin voidaan vaikuttaa MS-tautia sairastavien osallistumiseen niin arkielämään kuin työhönkin.

Tutkimuksessa esitetään suositukset reliaabeleista, muutokselle herkistä ja kliinisesti käyttökelpoisista mittareista fyysisen toimintakyvyn arviointiin kävelevillä MS-tautia sairastavilla ICF-luokituksen viitekehyksessä. Tutkimuksessa käytettyjä mittareita voidaan käyttää fysioterapian tavoitteita asetettaessa ja vaikuttavuutta arvioitaessa yhtä lailla kuin esimerkiksi lääkehoidon vaikuttavuutta arvioitaessa. Tulokset helpottavat käytännön työssä tehtävää arviointia, ts. millaisen muutoksen perusteella voidaan tehdä johtopäätös siitä, että muutos on kliinisesti merkitsevä. Herkkiä mittareita käyttämällä on mahdollista tunnistaa fyysisen toimintakyvyn heikentyminen jo varhaisvaiheessa ja suunnitella kuntoutusta toimintakyvyn ylläpitämiseksi.

ICF-luokituksen mukaan ihmisen toimintakyky koostuu fyysisestä, psyykkisestä ja sosiaalisesta ulottuvuudesta, joihin ympäristö- ja yksilötekijät vaikuttavat monin tavoin. Tässä tutkimuksessa keskityttiin fyysisen toimintakyvyn ulottuvuuteen. ICF-luokitus todettiin hyödylliseksi täydentämään mittareiden antamaa tietoa ja kuvaamaan MS-tautia sairastavien fyysistä toimintakykyä.


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121Appendices

APPENDICES

122Appendices

APPENDIX 1The concepts

The definitions and explanations presented below are taken primarily from official publications or scientific papers. Other explanations are proposed in cases where no published definitions have been found.

�ctivities and Participation (ICF)

� component which covers the complete ran�e of domains denotin� aspects of functionin� from both the individual and a societal perspective (WHO 2001).

�ctivities of daily livin�

Personal activities and Instrumental activities (those activities that are required for community livin�) of daily livin�.

�ctivity (ICF) The execution of a task or action by an individual (WHO 2001).

�DL performance � person’s involvement in life situations, includin� self-care, mobility and domestic life accordin� to the ICF.

�ssessment � process of makin� a rehabilitation dia�nosis throu�h identifyin� and sometimes quantifyin� the presence of various abnormalities.

Body Functions (ICF) The physiolo�ical functions of the body system (includin� psycholo�ical functions) (WHO 2001).

Body Structures (ICF) �natomical parts of the body such as or�ans and limbs (WHO 2001).

Capacity (ICF) �n individual’s ability to execute a task or an action (i.e., the hi�hest probable level of functionin� that a person may reach in a �iven moment in the �ctivities and Participation domain). It reflects the environmentally ad�usted ability of the individual. (WHO 2001.)

Cate�ories (ICF) Classes and subclasses within a domain of a component, i.e. units of classification (WHO 2001).

Clinical measure � clinical quantitative measure that follows a standardized procedure which is less open to sub�ective interpretation by potentially biased observers and study participants; observations made by, and implications drawn by, professionals. In this context, as opposite to self-report measure.

Clinical relevance Usefulness in terms of intervention plannin�, priority settin� and identification of client difficulties.

Clinical usefulness � term used when a measure is appraised in a specific clinical context, for a specific purpose.

123Appendices

Components (ICF) The main subdivisions of the parts of the ICF (WHO 2001).

Deterioration Implies �enerally the impairment of value or usefulness. The process or condition of becomin� worse.

Disability (ICF) �ny alteration in functionin� in terms of performance or capacity – impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions (WHO 2001).

Domain (ICF) � practical, meanin�ful set of related physiolo�ical functions, anatomical structures, actions, tasks, or areas of life. They make up the different chapters and blocks within each ICF component. (WHO 2001.)

Domestic life (ICF) Carryin� out domestic and everyday actions and tasks (WHO 2001).

Effectiveness The extent to which a specific intervention, procedure, re�imen, or service, when deployed in the field, does what it is intended to do for a defined population (Finch et al. 2002).

Environmental Factors (ICF)

Describes the physical, social, and attitudinal contexts in which people live and conduct their lives. These factors are external to individuals and can have a positive or ne�ative influence on the individual’s performance. (WHO 2001.)

Feasibility The quality of bein� feasible; practicability; capable of used or dealt with successfully; suitable.

Functionin� (ICF) �n umbrella term of the ICF for Body functions, body structures, activities and participation. It denotes the positive aspects of interaction between an individual (with a health condition) and that individual’s contextual factors (environment and personal factors). (WHO 2001.)

International Classification of Functionin�, Disability and Health (ICF)

� multipurpose classification of health and health-related states developed by the World Health Or�anization and desi�ned to provide a unified and standard lan�ua�e and framework (WHO 2001).

Interpretation The processes whereby one determines the clinical meanin� or si�nificance of data after the relevant statistical analyses have been performed. These processes often involve developin� an explanation of the data that are bein� evaluated.

Inter-rater reliability The extent to which multiple raters provide a consistent ratin� of a measure.

Len�th of dia�nosis Disease duration since dia�nosis (years).

124Appendices

Measurement � way of quantifyin� somethin�; 1) the act or process of measurin�, 2) a fi�ure, extent, or amount obtained by measurin�.

Mobility (ICF) Includes movin� by chan�in� body position or location or by transferrin� from one place to another, by carryin�, movin� or manipulatin� ob�ects, by walkin�, runnin� or climbin�, and by usin� various forms of transportation (WHO 2001).

Multiple sclerosis The disease process involves episodes where white matter within the brain or spinal cord becomes inflamed and then dama�ed by the person’s own im-mune system. These inflamed areas become scarred, �ivin� the disease its name: multiple areas of hardenin� (sclerosis) within the brain and spinal cord. (National Collaboratin� Centre for Chronic Conditions 2004.)

Outcome � characteristic or construct that is expected to chan�e as a result of the provision of a strate�y, intervention, or pro�ram. � successful outcome includes improved or maintained physical function when possible, slows functional decline where the status quo cannot be maintained, and/or is considered meanin�ful to the client. (Finch et al. 2002.)

Outcome measure � measurement tool (instrument, questionnaire, ratin� form, etc.) used to document chan�e in one or more constructs over time (Finch et al. 2002).

Participation (ICF) Involvement in a life situation (WHO 2001).

Performance (ICF) What individuals do in their current environment, and so brin�s in the aspect of a person’s involvement in life situations. Because the current environment includes a societal context, performance can also be understood as “involve-ment in life situation” or “the lived experience” of people in the actual context in which they live. (WHO 2001.)

Personal Factors (ICF) The particular back�round of an individual’s live and livin�, and comprise features of the individual that are not part of a health condition or health state such as a�e, �ender and social back�round (WHO 2001).

Psychometric properties

The reliability and validity, includin� responsiveness and sensitivity to chan�e, of a measurement tool (Finch et al. 2002).

Relapse The return of symptoms and si�ns of a disease after a period of improvement.

Reliability Reliability refers to a method of measurement that consistently �ives the same results (free from random error).

Reproducibility The ability of a measure to �ive the same results when administered on separate occasions.

125Appendices

Responsiveness The ability of a measure to assess clinically important chan�e over time. This term is often used interchan�eably with sensitivity to chan�e. (Finch et al. 2002.)

Self-care (ICF) Carin� for oneself, washin� and dryin� oneself, carin� for one’s body and body parts, dressin�, eatin�, and lookin� after one’s health (WHO 2001).

Self-report measure Questionnaires or interviews completed by the client or someone actin� on behalf of the client (care�iver) (Finch et al. 2002). In this context, as opposite to clinical measure.

Si�ns Observable abnormalities (absence or chan�e), often elicited explicitly; and deficits assumed from observations (ob�ective/external).

Standardized measure

� published measurement tool, desi�ned for a specified purpose in a �iven population, with detailed instructions provided on administration and scorin� and the results of reliability and validity testin� published in a peer-reviewed �ournal (Finch et al. 2002).

Symptoms Somatic sensation, experienced moods, thou�hts. experienced by the person (sub�ective/internal).

Symptom onset The time of the first appearance of neurolo�ical si�ns and symptoms attributable to MS.

Test-retest reliability The extent to which a measure, procedure or instrument yields the same result in repeated trials.

Validity The extent to which a measure assesses what it is intended to measure (Finch et al. 2002).

Well-bein� (ICF) � concept combinin� an individual’s health, their quality of life, and their satisfaction. There is no universally a�reed definition that is useful in the context of health care. (WHO 2001.)

126Appendices

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To p

rovi

de o

b�ec

tive

proo

f of e

ffec

tiven

ess

for b

alan

ce tr

aini

n� b

y a

forc

e pl

atfo

rm w

ith

visu

al fe

edba

ck (2

ses

sion

s w

eekl

y fo

r a

tota

l of 6

–7 w

eeks

)

N =

35

EDSS N�

Atax

ia te

st b

atte

ry, M

otri

city

Inde

x, F

orce

pla

tfor

m (t

he B

ioG

P w

ith d

iffe

rent

p

aram

eter

s)N

o

3.

(Ful

ler e

t

al. 1

996)

Hos

pita

l inp

atie

nt p

hysi

othe

rapy

(ave

ra�e

ad

mis

sion

dur

atio

n 13

.5 d

ays

with

an

aver

-a�

e of

6.5

hou

rs o

f phy

siot

hera

py c

onta

ct

time)

N =

45

EDSS

5.5–

7.0

Rive

rmea

d M

obili

ty In

dex

(RM

I), N

ottin

�ham

Ext

ende

d �D

L In

dex,

Bar

thel

�DL

inde

x,

Envi

ronm

enta

l and

Inca

paci

ty S

tatu

s Sc

ale,

Sho

rt-o

rient

atio

n m

emor

y te

st, H

ospi

tal

�nxi

ety

and

Depr

essi

on S

cale

, Tim

ed 5

-m w

alk

or ti

med

tran

sfer

to a

nd fr

om a

whe

el-

chai

r, N

ine-

hole

Peg

test

(9-H

PT),

Vide

o re

cord

in�s

of a

wal

k or

tran

sfer

at h

ome,

V�S

by

the

patie

nt a

nd m

ain

care

r on

mob

ility

-rel

ated

issu

es

Yes

“5-m

dis

tanc

e w

as c

hose

n as

its

relia

bilit

y ha

d be

en

esta

blis

hed

prev

ious

ly.”

4.

(Joh

nson

et a

l. 19

99)

8 w

eek

cour

se o

f Fel

denk

rais

bod

ywor

kN

= 20

EDSS

4.5

± 0.

3

Nin

e-ho

le P

eg te

st (9

-HPT

), H

ospi

tal �

nxie

ty a

nd D

epre

ssio

n Sc

ale

(H�D

), M

S se

lf-ef

ficac

y sc

ale,

MS

Sym

ptom

Inve

ntor

y (2

3-ite

m L

iker

t sca

le),

MS

Perf

orm

ance

Sca

les

(cat

e�or

ical

ratin

� sc

ales

), Pe

rcei

ved

Stre

ss S

cale

(PSS

)

No

5.

(Lor

d et

al. 1

998b

)�

faci

litat

ion

(impa

irmen

t-bas

ed) a

ppro

ach

(pas

sive

and

act

ive

tech

niqu

es) c

ompa

red

with

a ta

sk-o

rient

ed (d

isab

ility

-focu

sed)

ap

proa

ch (f

unct

iona

l exe

rcis

es) o

ver a

5–7

-w

eek

perio

d

N =

20

EDSS N�

10-m

etre

tim

ed w

alk,

Riv

erm

ead

Mob

ility

Inde

x (R

MI),

Str

ide

leng

th, R

iver

mea

d Vi

sual

Gai

t Ass

essm

ent,

Ber

g Ba

lanc

e Sc

ale,

Clin

ical

ass

essm

ent f

or s

enso

ry a

p-pr

ecia

tions

of t

he le

�s, A

shw

orth

Sca

le

No

127Appendices

6.

(Mos

tert

and

�e

ssel

rin�

20

02)

4 w

eek

inpa

tient

reha

bilit

atio

n pr

o�ra

m

cons

iste

d of

5 x

30

min

ses

sion

s pe

r wee

k of

bi

cycl

e ex

erci

se w

ith in

divi

dual

ised

inte

nsit

y

N =

26

EDSS

1.0–

6.5

� �r

aded

max

imal

exe

rcis

e te

st (G

ET) w

ith m

easu

rem

ent o

f �as

exc

han�

e, a

lun�

fu

nctio

n te

st (F

VC a

nd M

VV),

Mod

ified

Ash

wor

th S

cale

of l

ower

ext

rem

ities

, BE�

C�E

�ctiv

ity

Que

stio

nnai

re, S

hort

For

m It

em 3

6 H

ealth

Sur

vey

(SF-

36),

Fati�

ue S

ever

ity

Scal

e (F

SS),

EDSS

No

7.

(Oke

n et

al.

20

04)

Wee

kly

yo�a

cla

ss (à

90

min

) alo

n� w

ith

hom

e pr

actic

e co

mpa

red

to w

eekl

y ex

erci

se

clas

s us

in�

a st

atio

nary

bic

ycle

alo

n� w

ith

hom

e ex

erci

se

N =

69

EDSS

1.5–

6.0

�sse

ssm

ent o

f ale

rtne

ss b

ased

on

EEG

med

ian

pow

er fr

eque

ncy

and

colo

r-wor

d in

terf

eren

ce o

n th

e St

oop

Colo

r and

Wor

d te

st, B

atte

ry o

f co�

nitiv

e m

easu

res

focu

sed

on a

tten

tion,

Sta

ndfo

rd S

leep

ines

s Sc

ale

(SSS

), Pr

ofile

of M

ood

Stat

es (P

OM

S), M

ulti-

Dim

ensi

onal

Fat

i�ue

Inve

ntor

y (M

FI),

CESD

-10,

Sta

te-T

rait

�nxi

ety

Inve

ntor

y, S

hort

Fo

rm It

em 3

6 H

ealth

Sur

vey

(SF-

36),

Mul

tiple

Scl

eros

is F

unct

iona

l Com

posi

te (M

SFC)

N�†

8.

(Pet

a�an

et

al

. 199

6)15

wee

ks o

f aer

obic

trai

nin�

, 3 tr

aini

n� s

es-

sion

per

wee

k (5

-min

war

m-u

p +

30 m

inut

es

at 6

0% o

f VO

2max

+ 5

-min

coo

ldow

n; a

nd

5–10

min

str

etch

in�)

N =

46

EDSS

≤ 6.

0

Max

imal

aer

obic

cap

acity

(VO

2max

), M

axim

um v

olun

tary

isom

etri

c co

ntra

ctio

ns o

f 5

uppe

r and

5 lo

wer

ext

rem

ity

mus

cle

grou

ps, B

ody

com

posi

tion

anal

ysis

, Blo

od li

pids

, Pr

ofile

of M

ood

Stat

es (P

OM

S), S

ickn

ess

Impa

ct P

rofil

e (S

IP),

Fati�

ue S

ever

ity S

cale

(F

SS),

EDSS

No

9.

(Rom

ber�

et a

l. 20

04)

� pr

o�re

ssiv

e 6-

mon

th e

xerc

ise

pro�

ram

: w

eeks

1–3

inpa

tient

reha

bilit

atio

n an

d w

eeks

4–2

6 ex

erci

se a

t hom

e (c

ombi

ned

resi

stan

ce tr

aini

n� 3

–4 ti

mes

/ w

eek

with

ae

robi

c en

dura

nce

trai

nin�

onc

e a

wee

k)

N =

95

EDSS

1.0–

5.5

7.62

m w

alk

test

(as

fast

as

coul

d), 5

00 m

wal

k te

st (a

s fa

st a

s co

uld)

, max

imal

is

omet

ric

torq

ue o

f kne

e ex

tens

or a

nd fl

exor

mus

cles

, upp

er e

xtre

mit

y en

dura

nce:

w

eigh

t lif

ting,

Box

and

Blo

ck T

est (

BBT)

, cyc

le e

r�om

eter

(VO

2 pea

k), E

quis

cale

Yes

“Max

imal

isom

etric

torq

ue

is a

relia

ble

met

hod

of

mea

surin

� lo

wer

ext

rem

ity

stre

n�th

in M

S (n

o re

fer-

ence

).”

10. (

Rom

ber�

et a

l. 20

05)

� pr

o�re

ssiv

e 6-

mon

th e

xerc

ise

pro�

ram

: w

eeks

1–3

inpa

tient

reha

bilit

atio

n an

d w

eeks

4–2

6 ex

erci

se a

t hom

e (c

ombi

ned

resi

stan

ce tr

aini

n� 3

–4 ti

mes

/ w

eek

with

ae

robi

c en

dura

nce

trai

nin�

onc

e a

wee

k)

N =

95

EDSS

1.0–

5.5

Mul

tiple

Scl

eros

is F

unct

iona

l Com

posi

te (M

SFC)

, EDS

S, F

unct

iona

l Ind

epen

denc

e M

easu

re (F

IM),

MS

Qua

lity

of L

ife-5

4 (M

SQO

L-54

), Ce

ntre

for E

pide

mio

lo�i

c St

udie

s De

pres

sion

Sca

le (C

ES-D

)

N�†

11. (

Schu

hfrie

d

et a

l. 20

05)

� w

hole

-bod

y vi

brat

ion

(mec

hani

cal o

scil-

latio

ns) i

n co

mpa

rison

to a

pla

cebo

(bur

st

TEN

S)

N =

12

EDSS

2.5–

5.0

Sens

ory

Org

aniz

atio

n Te

st (S

OT)

, Tim

ed G

et U

p an

d G

o Te

st (T

UG),

Func

tiona

l Rea

ch

(FR)

Tes

tN

o

12. (

Schu

lz e

t

al. 2

004)

8-w

eek

aero

bic

bicy

cle

trai

nin�

N =

46

EDSS

2.3

± 0.

2

Endu

ranc

e te

st a

t 60%

VO

2max

(met

abol

ic, e

ndoc

rine,

imm

une,

and

neu

rotr

ophi

c pa

-ra

met

ers)

, Bew

egun

gs- u

nd K

oord

inat

ions

test

für K

ur-T

eiln

ehm

er (B

KT-K

ur) (

“wal

k-in

� te

st o

n a

plan

k” a

nd “

fi�ur

e ei

�hts

”), P

ostu

re /

coo

rdin

atio

n by

the

KAT

2000

ba

lanc

e te

st in

its

stat

ic v

ersi

on, P

rofil

e of

Moo

d St

ates

(PO

MS)

, Hos

pita

l �nx

iety

and

De

pres

sion

Sca

le, H

ambu

r� Q

ualit

y of

Life

Que

stio

nnai

re (H

�QU

�MS)

, Sho

rt F

orm

Item

36

Hea

lth S

urve

y (S

F-36

), M

odifi

ed fa

ti�ue

Impa

ct S

cale

(MFI

S), M

S se

lf-ef

ficac

y sc

ale

(MSS

ES)

No Ap

pend

ix 2

con

tinue

s.

128Appendices

13. (

Sola

ri et

al. 1

999)

3

wee

ks o

f inp

atie

nt p

hysi

othe

rapy

(tw

ice-

daily

, pas

sive

[str

etch

in�,

mob

iliza

tion]

and

ac

tive

inte

rven

tions

) com

pare

d w

ith h

ome

exer

cise

s

N =

50

EDSS

3.0–

6.5

EDSS

, Am

bula

tion

Inde

x (A

I), F

unct

iona

l Ind

epen

denc

e M

easu

re (F

IM),

Ham

ilton

Rat

-in

� Sc

ale

for D

epre

ssio

n, S

hort

For

m It

em 3

6 H

ealth

Sur

vey

(SF-

36)

No

14. (

Step

hens

et a

l. 20

01)

� st

ruct

ured

�ro

up m

otor

lear

nin�

pro

cess

(�

war

enes

s Th

rou�

h M

ovem

ent,

8 cl

asse

s,

2 to

4 h

ours

eac

h fo

r a to

tal o

f 20

hour

s)

com

pare

d w

ith e

duca

tiona

l ses

sion

s (4

ses

-si

on, 9

0-m

in e

ach)

N =

12

EDSS

3.5–

6.0

Pros

pect

ive

falls

reco

rd, E

quis

cale

, Clin

ical

Tes

t of S

enso

ry In

tera

ctio

n in

Bal

ance

(m

CTSI

B) a

nd L

imit

s of

Sta

bilit

y (L

OS)

test

s, A

ctiv

ities

-spe

cific

Bal

ance

Con

fiden

ce

(ABC

) Sca

le, M

ultip

le S

cler

osis

Sel

f-Effi

cacy

Sca

le

Yes

“Tes

t-ret

est r

elia

bilit

y ex

amin

ed fo

r Equ

isca

le

and

LOS.

”

“The

mCT

SIB

and

�BC

have

bee

n sh

own

to h

ave

hi�h

test

-ret

est r

elia

bilit

y in

oth

er p

opul

atio

ns.”

15. (

Sura

kka

et

al

. 200

4)�

pro�

ress

ive

6-m

onth

exe

rcis

e pr

o�ra

m:

wee

ks 1

–3 in

patie

nt re

habi

litat

ion

and

wee

ks 4

–26

exer

cise

at h

ome

(com

bine

d re

sist

ance

trai

nin�

3–4

tim

es /

wee

k w

ith

aero

bic

endu

ranc

e tr

aini

n� o

nce

a w

eek)

N =

95

EDSS

1.0–

5.5

Mot

or fa

ti�ue

(the

dec

line

in fo

rce

and

fati�

ue in

dex)

of k

nee

flexo

r and

ext

enso

r mus

-cl

es w

as m

easu

red

durin

� st

atic

30-

s m

axim

al s

usta

ined

mus

cle

cont

ract

ion,

Fat

i�ue

Se

verit

y Sc

ale

(FSS

), �m

bula

tory

Fat

i�ue

inde

x (�

FI) d

urin

� th

e 50

0 m

wal

k te

st

N�†

16. (

van

den

Be

r� e

t al.

20

06)

Supe

rvis

ed tr

eadm

ill tr

aini

n�, 3

ses

sion

s w

eekl

y, fo

r 4 w

eeks

, wal

kin�

dur

atio

n up

to

a m

axim

um o

f 30

min

utes

N =

16

EDSS N�

Tim

ed 1

0-m

wal

k, 2

-min

wal

k, R

iver

mea

d M

obili

ty In

dex

(RM

I), F

ati�

ue S

ever

ity

Scal

e (F

SS),

Guy’

s ne

urol

o�ic

al ra

tin�

scal

e (G

NDS

)Ye

s

“�ll

mea

sure

men

t too

ls

have

pre

viou

sly

been

use

d in

MS

popu

latio

ns a

nd

valid

ity,

relia

bilit

y an

d se

nsiti

vity

des

crib

ed.”

17. (

Wile

s et

al.

20

01)

Thre

e 8-

wee

k pe

riods

of t

reat

men

t : 1

) ho

spita

l out

patie

nt p

hysi

othe

rapy

(2 s

essi

on

of 4

5 m

in e

ach

wee

k fo

r 8 w

eeks

); 2)

phy

si-

othe

rapy

in h

ome

(2 s

essi

on o

f 45

min

eac

h w

eek

for 8

wee

ks);

and

3) n

o ph

ysio

ther

apy

N =

42

EDSS

4.0–

6.5

Rive

rmea

d m

obili

ty in

dex

(RM

I), B

arth

el in

dex,

Fre

ncha

y ac

tiviti

es in

dex,

Not

tin�h

am

exte

nded

�DL

(mob

ility

ele

men

t), F

unct

iona

l am

bula

tion

cate

gory

, One

-leg

stan

ce,

Tim

e an

d nu

mbe

r of p

aces

for 6

-m w

alks

, Vid

eo re

cord

in�

of �

ait,

Nin

e-ho

le P

eg te

st

(9-H

PT),

�sse

ssor

’s �

loba

l vie

w o

f mob

ility

cha

n�e

(V�S

), Sh

ort o

rient

atio

n-m

emor

y-co

ncen

trat

ion

test

, Hos

pita

l anx

iety

and

dep

ress

ion

scal

e, S

ub�e

ctiv

e pa

tient

and

car

er

ratin

�s (V

�S)

No

Appe

ndix

2 c

ontin

ued.

129Appendices

APPENDIX 3Reliability (II) and distribution-based responsiveness (IV) of physical functioning measures.

One focus of the present reliability studies (II) was to assess relative reliability by means of the ICCs. The SEM and CV were used to describe absolute reliability, i.e., the degree to which repeated measurements vary for individuals. In addition, the data were presented graphically by plotted limits of agreement. Test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and distribution-based responsiveness (MDC) for each of the outcome measure are presented in Tables (reproduced with the kind permissions of John Wiley & Sons Limited and the American Physical Therapy Association). Test-retest (A) and inter-rater (B) reliability plots using the Bland-Altman plot, that is, the differences between scores are plotted against the averaged scores for outcome measures, are shown in Figures. Reference lines of the mean difference (solid line) and ± 2 standard deviations of the mean difference (dashed lines) for each Bland-Altman plot are given.

Measures of Activity (capacity) in ambulatory PwMS (II, IV)Fine hand use (a440)

Test-retest reliability (II) (n = 19)

Inter-rater reliability (II) (n = 9)

Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC(n)

BBT of dominanthand (number/min)

0.87 (0.72–0.95)

3.54 4.4 0.93 (0.73–0.98)

2.43 4.4 8.11(n = 109)

BBT, Box and Block Test; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e.

–10

–5

0

5

10

15

36 46 56 66 76Mean BBT (number/min)

dominant hand

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(num

ber/m

in)

Difference Mean Difference Mean Diff. ± 2SD

(A) Test-retest reliability

–10

–5

0

5

10

15

36 46 56 66 76Mean BBT (number/min)

dominant hand

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2(n

umbe

r/min

)


(B) Inter-rater reliability

130Appendices

Changing and maintaining body position (a410–a429)



Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC(n)

BBS score (0–56) 0.85(0.72–0.94)

0.83 1.1 0.99(0.97–1.00)

0.85 1.3 2.33(n = 109)

�ela Coordination Test time (s)

0.74 (0.53–0.89)

15.69 11.8 0.83 (0.33–0.97)

14.37 14.3 41.66(n = 78)

�ela Coordination Test faults (number)

0.81 (0.63–0.92)

3.35 37.1 0.98 (0.88–0.99)

1.55 20.7 6.79(n = 78)

Velocity moment (mm2/s) eyes open

0.63 (0.38–0.82)

13.75 36.6 0.77

(0.19–0.95)

12.95 39.2 37.07(n = 104)

Velocity moment (mm2/s) eyes closed

0.68 (0.45–0.85)

50.46 41.2 0.86 (0.49–0.97)

47.69 31.7 136.03(n = 98)

BBS, Ber� Balance Scale, ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e.

–3

–2

–1

0

1

2

3

4

48 51 54 57

Mean BBS (0–56)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(0–5

6)



–3

–2

–1

0

1

2

3

4

27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 51 54 57

Mean BBS (0–56)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(0–5

6)



–120–100– 80– 60– 40–20

0204060

40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Mean Kela Coordination Test time (s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(s)



–120–100– 80– 60– 40– 20

0204060

40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Mean Kela Coordination Test time (s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(s)



131Appendices

–14–12–10–8–6–4–2

02468

10121416

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Mean Kela Coordination Test faults (number)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(num

ber)



–14–12–10–8–6–4–202468

10121416

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Mean Kela Coordination Test faults (number)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(num

ber)



–90–80–70–60–50–40–30–20–10

01020304050

0 20 40 60 80 100Mean velocity moment

eyes open (mm 2/s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3(m

m2 /s)



–90–80–70–60–50–40–30–20–10

01020304050

0 20 40 60 80 100

Mean velocity moment eyes open (mm 2/s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2(m

m2 /s)



–300–250–200–150–100–50

050

100150200

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350Mean velocity moment

eyes closed (mm2/s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(mm

2 /s)



–300–250–200–150–100–50

050

100150200

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350Mean velocity moment

eyes closed (mm2/s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2(m

m2 /s)



132Appendices

Walking (a450)



Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC (n)

10MWT velocity at normal speed (m/s)

0.91 (0.81–0.96)

0.09 5.5 0.93 (0.72–0.98)

0.10 8.6 0.26(n = 109)

10MWT velocity at max. speed (m/s)

0.95 (0.90–0.98)

0.11 5.1 0.96 (0.84–0.99)

0.08 4.4 0.26(n = 109)

6MWT distance (m) 0.96 (0.91–0.98)

30.65 3.9 0.93 (0.74–0.98)

35.85 6.8 92.16(n = 104)

10MWT, 10-meter walk test; 6MWT, 6-minute walk test; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measure-ment; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e.

–0.4

–0.3

–0.2

–0.1

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2Mean 10MWT velocity at normal speed (m/s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3(m

/s)



–0.4

–0.3

–0.2

–0.1

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2Mean 10MWT velocity at normal speed (m/s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(m/s)



–0.4

–0.3

–0.2

–0.1

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8Mean 10MWT velocity at maximal speed (m/s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(m/s)



–0.4

–0.3

–0.2

–0.1

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8

Mean 10MWT velocity at maximal speed (m/s)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(m/s)



133Appendices

Measures of Body Function in ambulatory PwMS (II, IV)Exercise tolerance functions (b455)



Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC (n)

6MWT HRmax at end (beats/min)

0.82 (0.66–0.92)

8.82 6.5 0.91 (0.66–0.98)

6.91 5.2 21.80(n = 100)

6MWT HR chan�e (beats/min)

0.80 (0.62–0.91)

8.97 17.9 0.90 (0.61–0.98)

6.29 19.9 21.15(n = 100)

6MWT PCI (beats/m) 0.59 (0.33–0.80)

0.13 17.5 0.77 (0.28–0.94)

0.17 23.6 0.42(n = 102)

6MWT RPE (6–20) 0.74 (0.53–0.88)

1.15 4.4 0.73 (0.14–0.93)

0.68 3.0 2.54(n = 106)

6MWT, 6-minute walk test; HR, heart rate; PCI, Physiolo�ical Cost Index; RPE, Ratin� of perceived exertion; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e.

–120–100–80–60–40–20

020406080

100120

50 150 250 350 450 550 650 750 850Mean 6MWT distance (m)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(m)


–120–100–80–60–40–20

020406080

100120

50 150 250 350 450 550 650 750 850Mean 6MWT distance (m)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(m)


Difference Mean Difference Mean Diff. ± 2SD Difference Mean Difference Mean Diff. ± 2SD


–40

–30

–20

–10

0

10

20

30

75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165

Mean 6MWT HR at end (beats/min)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(bea

ts/m

in)


–40

–30

–20

–10

0

10

20

30

75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165Mean 6MWT HR at end

(beats/min)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(bea

ts/m

in)


134Appendices


–50

–40

–30

–20

–10

0

10

20

30

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Mean 6MWT HR change(beats/min)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(bea

ts/m

in)


–50

–40

–30

–20

–10

0

10

20

30

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Mean 6MWT HR change(beats/min)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(bea

ts/m

in)



–0.8

–0.6

–0.4

–0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.5

Mean 6MWT PCI (beats/m)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(bea

ts/m

)


–0.8

–0.6

–0.4

–0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.5

Mean 6MWT PCI (beats/m)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(bea

ts/m

)



–5–4–3–2–101234

8 10 12 14 16 18

Mean 6MWT RPE (6–20)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(6–2

0)


–5–4–3–2–1

01234

8 10 12 14 16 18Mean 6MWT RPE (6–20)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(6–2

0)


135Appendices

Gait pattern functions (b770)



Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC (n)

10MWT stride len�th(cm)

0.91 (0.83–0.96)

6.14 3.7 0.88 (0.55–0.97)

10.14 7.0 22.56 (n = 109)

10MWT cadence (steps/min)

0.79 (0.61–0.90)

5.74 3.2 0.89 (0.60–0.98)

6.00 4.3 16.27(n = 109)

10MWT walk ratio (m/steps per min)

0.92 (0.84–0.97)

0.001 3.0 0.87 (0.51–0.97)

0.0005 7.5 0.002(n = 109)

10MWT, 10-meter walk test; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e.


–35–30–25–20–15–10–5

05

101520253035

75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165 175

Mean 10MWT stride length (cm)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3(c

m)


–35–30–25–20–15–10–5

05

101520253035

75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145 155 165 175

Mean 10MWT stride length (cm)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(cm

)



–20–15–10–5

05

10152025

70 80 90 100 110 120 130Mean 10MWT cadence

(steps/min)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(ste

ps/m

in)


–20–15–10–5

05

10152025

70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Mean 10MWT cadence (steps/min)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(ste

ps/m

in)


136Appendices

Muscle power functions (b730)



Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC (n)

Ri�ht hand �rip stren�th (k�)

0.98 (0.96–0.99)

1.81 4.6 0.98 (0.90–0.99)

1.42 3.2 4.48(n = 108)

MVC of the knee extensors (k�) a)

0.95 (0.90–0.98)

3.39 7.8 0.98 (0.92–1.00)

3.14 5.8 8.70(n = 102)

MVC, maximal voluntary contraction; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e.a) For ri�ht le� in the test-retest reliability study, and for both le�s for inter-rater reliability and responsiveness studies.


–0.002

–0.0015

–0.001

–0.0005

0

0.0005

0.001

0.0015

0.002

0.004 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.008 0.009 0.01

Mean 10MWT walk ratio (m/steps per min)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(m/te

ps p

er m

in)


–0.002

–0.0015

–0.001

–0.0005

0

0.0005

0.001

0.0015

0.002

0.004 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.008 0.009 0.01

Mean 10MWT walk ratio (m/steps per min)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2(m

/ste

ps p

er m

in)


–8

–6

–4

–2

0

2

4

6

8

18 23 28 33 38 43 48 53 58

Mean grip strength (kg)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(kg)


–8

–6

–4

–2

0

2

4

6

8

18 23 28 33 38 43 48 53 58

Mean grip strength (kg)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(kg)



137Appendices


–15

–10

–5

0

5

10

15

15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95

Mean MVCfor right knee extensors (kg)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(kg)


–15

–10

–5

0

5

10

15

15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95

Mean MVC for the knee extensors (kg)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(kg)


Muscle endurance functions (b740)



Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC (n)

Repetitive squattin� (times)

0.85 (0.72–0.93)

10.00 18.3 0.92 (0.71–0.98)

8.83 20.3 26.10 (n = 89)

Ri�ht hand repetitive dumbbell presses (k� x times)

0.95 (0.89–0.98)

15.48 18.6 0.93 (0.71–0.98)

10.81 15.1 36.44 (n = 94)

ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e.


–25

–15

–5

5

15

25

35

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Mean repetitive squatting (times)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(tim

es)


–25

–15

–5

5

15

25

35

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Mean repetitive squatting (times)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(tim

es)


138Appendices

Muscle tone functions (b735)



Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC (n)

M�S score for upper limbs (0–20)

0.85 (0.72–0.94)

0.49 N� 0.58 (–0.08–0.89)

0.64 N� 1.57(n = 109)

M�S score for lowerlimbs (0–20)

0.62 (0.37–0.82)

1.66 N� 0.66 (0.05–0.91)

1.25 N� 4.03(n = 108)

M�S, modified �shworth scale; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e.N�, not applicable.


–60

–40

–20

0

20

40

60

15 40 65 90 115 140 165 190 215 240

Mean right hand repetitive dumbbell presses (kg x times)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(kg

x tim

es)


–60

–40

–20

0

20

40

60

15 40 65 90 115 140 165 190 215 240

Mean right hand repetitive dumbbell presses (kg x times)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(kg

x tim

es)



–3.5–3

–2.5–2

–1.5-1

–0.50

0.51

1.52

0 1 2 3 4 5

Mean MAS for upper limbs (0–20)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(0–2

0)


–3.5–3

–2.5–2

–1.5–1

–0.50

0.51

1.52

2.5

0 1 2 3 4 5

Mean MAS for upper limb (0–20)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(0–2

0)


139Appendices

Sensation of muscle stiffness (b780)



Responsiveness (IV)

ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV ICC (95% CI)

SEM CV MDC (n)

Hamstrin� flexibility:SLR ri�ht (de�ree)

N� N� N� 0.60 (0.02–0.89)

10.27 11.8 24.72(n = 109)

SLR, strai�ht le� raise test; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; CV, coefficient of variation; MDC, minimal detectable chan�e. N�, not applicable (not measured in the test-retest reliability study).


–8–6–4–2

0

2468

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Mean MAS for lower limbs (0–20)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 3

(0–2

0)


–8–6–4–202468

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Mean MAS for lower limbs (0–20)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(0–2

0)



–30

–20

–10

0

10

20

30

40

64 74 84 94 104

Mean SLR for right leg (degrees)

Mea

sure

men

t 1 –

Mea

sure

men

t 2

(deg

rees

)


ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS Original publications are available in the print version only.

I

Paltamaa J, Sarasoja T, Wikström J, Mälkiä E. Physical functioning in multiple sclerosis: A population-based study in Central Finland.J Rehabil Med 2006; 38: 339–345.

Copyri�ht the Foundation for Rehabilitation Medicine. Reproduced with permission. Original publications are available in the print version only.

I

II

Paltamaa J, West H, Sarasoja T, Wikström J, Mälkiä E. Reliability of physical functioning measures in ambulatory subjects with MS [published erratum in: Physiother Res Int 2006; 11: 123.]. Physiother Res Int 2005; 10: 93–109.

Copyri�ht John Wiley & Sons Limited. Reproduced with permission. Original publications are available in the print version only.

II

III

Paltamaa J, Sarasoja T, Leskinen E, Wikström J, Mälkiä E. Measures of physical functioning predict self-reported performance in self-care, mobility and domestic life in ambulatory persons with multiple scle-rosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2007; 88: 1649–1657.

Copyri�ht Elsevier. Reproduced with permission. Original publications are available in the print version only. III

IV

Paltamaa J, Sarasoja T, Leskinen E, Wikström J, Mälkiä E. Measuring deterioration in International Classification of Functioning domains of people with multiple sclerosis who are ambulatory. Phys Ther 2008; 88: 176–190.

Copyri�ht the �merican Physical Therapy �ssociation. Reproduced with permission. Original publications are available in the print version only. IV

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2008 Studies in social security and health | 93

978-951-669-765-2 (pdf)

The Social Insurance Institutionof FinlandResearch DepartmentPhone +358 20 634 [email protected]/researchwww.kela.fi/tutkimuswww.fpa.fi/forskning

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder

of the central nervous system and potentially the most common

cause of neurological disability in young adults. It is important to

identify early decline in physical functioning in persons with MS.

The data obtained from a population-based cohort of persons

with MS (n=277) living in Central Finland in 2000 give a clear

indication of favourable functioning in mobility, self-care and

domestic life. The results revealed the value of clinical outcome

measures in detecting minor decrements in physical functioning

that precede and often predict the onset of detectable dependence

in performance.

This thesis provides recommendations for reliable, responsive

and clinically useful physical functioning measures suitable for

assessing ambulatory persons with MS. By using responsive

measures it is possible to identify early decline and plan interventions

to maintain functioning. The ICF was found to be helpful in

supplementing the information provided by the measures and in

describing the physical functioning.

assessment of physical functioning in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis

Documents