Current MS Outcome Measures Are Inadequate for Some Patients
Existing outcome measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) rehabilitation are inadequate for patients with impaired mobility, according to a recent study.
With these findings in mind, the authors of the study now emphasize the need for “specifically designed outcome measures for routine care that are less burdensome and short-term responsive.”
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They arrived at this conclusion after evaluating 229 patients with progressive MS who underwent 3 weeks of routine inpatient rehabilitation between 2011 and 2015. Outcome measurements were extracted from each patient’s medical records.
Specifically, the researchers examined the acceptability of the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).
The statistical distributions, concurrent validity, and responsiveness for each test were also analyzed.
Results of the study indicated that, although concurrent validity hypotheses were mainly satisfied, all outcomes measures were skewed distributions, showed low variability, and were inadequately discriminative as a result.
The T25FW was found to be responsive for mildly impaired patients, and the 2MWT was found to be responsive for mild to moderate MS. However, 9HPT never demonstrated responsiveness for any state of impairment
The researchers also noted that generic multi-items measures such as RMI and FIM-motor showed adequate responsiveness for all levels of severity.
—Christina Vogt
Reference:
Barin L, Vaney C, Puhan MA, von Wyl V. Recommended outcome measures for inpatient rehabilitation of multiple sclerosis are not appropriate for the patients with substantially impaired mobility. Multiple Sclerosis Rel Dis. 2018;22:108-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2018.04.001.
SEE ALSO: What Is Multiple Sclerosis? (Podcast)
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