Mobility measures differentiate falls risk status in persons with multiple sclerosis: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND

Falls are of great concern among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVE

To examine differences in metrics of mobility, postural control, and cognition in persons with MS with distinct fall risk status; and to investigate predictors of fall risk group membership using discriminant analysis.

METHODS

Forty-seven persons with MS completed the Activities-Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and underwent a battery of assessments of mobility, balance, and cognition. Participants further wore an accelerometer for 7 days as an assessment of steps/day. Participants were allocated into fall risk groups based on ABC scale scores (increased fall risk (IFR); and normal fall risk (NFR)). We examined univariate differences between groups using ANOVA, and discriminant function analysis (DFA) identified the significant multivariate predictors of FR status.

RESULTS

After controlling for disability level, the IFR group had significantly (p < 0.05) worse scores on measures of mobility (i.e., MSWS-12, 6 MW, and steps/day) compared to the NFR group. DFA identified MSWS-12 and 6 MW scores as significant (p < 0.05) predictors of fall risk group membership. Those two variables collectively explained 55% of variance in fall risk grouping.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that mobility should be the focus of rehabilitation programs in persons with MS, especially for those at IFR.