Socio-demographic characteristics, physical characteristics (age, body weight, height),
educational status, occupation, duration of MS, age at onset of MS, clinical type of MS,
number and site of attacks, presence of optic neuritis, EDSS score, medications, chronic
diseases, and smoking will be recorded.
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): All volunteers participating in the study will
undergo a neurologic examination and the disability rate will be evaluated using the EDSS
for each individual with MS. The EDSS is scored between 0 and 10, with higher scores
indicating more disability. A score of zero indicates completely normal functioning,
while a score of 10 indicates death due to MS. Individuals with a score of 3.5 and below
will be included in the study.
Test Procedures Demographic data will be recorded at the baseline assessment. Our study
will be conducted in a "test-retest" design and the psychometric properties of the
Dubousset Function Test (DFT) will be examined in individuals with MS. The DFT, TUG,
dual-task TUG, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), Berg Balance
Scale (BBS), Functional Reach Test and 3-meter backward walking test (3MBWT) will be
administered to individuals. The completion times of the DFT will be performed by the
same physiotherapist. The second assessment (retest) will be performed 7 days after the
first assessment (test) by the same physiotherapist to determine the reliability of the
DFT. Rest periods of 2 minutes will be given between assessments to minimize the effects
of fatigue. Participants will not receive any treatment for 7 days and the test-retest
will be performed at the same time.
Dubousset Functional Test (DFT):
A conceptual four-component global functional assessment test - Dubousset Functional Test
(DFT) will be applied to objectively measure the functional capacity of individuals (11).
These four components are as follows;
Get Up and Walk Test: Individuals with MS will stand up unassisted from a seated
position in a chair without arms, walk 5 meters (500 cm), turn around, walk back 5
meters and sit down again unassisted.
Step Test: individuals with MS will climb three steps of stairs from a starting
position 50 cm away, turn around on the third step and walk back down.
Sit and stand test: Individuals with MS will sit on the floor from a standing
position with assistance if necessary and stand up again with assistance if
necessary.
Dual Task Test: Individuals with MS will walk 5 meters forward, turn around and walk
5 meters backward while performing a memory exercise (counting down from 50 in 2
intervals).
TUG (Timed Up and Go) Test: The TUG test is a tool designed to assess dynamic balance,
walking speed and mobility. To complete the test, participants are required to get up
from a chair with armrests, walk 3 m, turn, walk back and sit on the chair. The
completion time of the test is recorded with a stopwatch (3).
Dual Task TUG (Additional Cognitive Task): During the TUG test, counting backwards by
twos from 50 will be used as an additional cognitive task. When the test had to be
repeated, individuals continued counting from the number they had left off. Counting
errors will be ignored (12).
Tinetti POMA: It is also called the Tinetti Mobility Test and is a reliable and valid
clinical test used to measure balance and walking abilities. It consists of a total POMA
scale (POMA-T), a balance subscale (POMA-B) and a gait subscale (POMA-G). Each step is
scored between 0 (maximum inability) and 2 (complete independence) (13).
Berg Balance Scale (BBS): It is a widely used measurement tool to assess functional
balance. The BBS consists of 14 items and each item is scored between 0 and 4 according
to the level of balance impairment. Higher scores on the BDI indicate better balance
performance (14).
3 Meter Backward Walking Test (3MBWT): A distance of 3 meters (m) is measured and marked
with black tape. Patients are asked to follow the black tape with their heels. When the
"Start" command is given, they are asked to walk backwards quickly. When a distance of 3
meters is completed, they are told to stop (15).
Functional Reach Test (FRT) : It is a test that evaluates dynamic bilateral postural
balance. At the beginning of the test, the dominant arm is placed in a 90° flexion
position and the distance between the feet is set to 10 cm. The maximum distance a person
can extend their arm horizontally forward without moving their feet is measured in
centimeters. The maximum distance he/she can reach and return to the starting position
without losing balance is recorded. The test will be repeated three times and the average
of these three values will be taken (16).