Validation of Hand Held Dynamometer for Assessment of Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Multiple Sclerosis

Validation of a Hand-Held Dynamometer for Assessment of Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Multiple Sclerosis: Protocol for Strength Testing and Reliability Characteristics

Evaluate a method of testing the strength of five key lower limb muscle groups using a hand-held strength gauge (dynamometer).

Purpose of this study is to assess the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) in the assessment of lower limb strength in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Also to establish a standardized strength testing procedure for key lower limb muscle groups using a HHD fo research and clinical purposes in Multiple Sclerosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Stable patients with clinically definite Multiple Sclerosis
• No Multiple Sclerosis exacerbation 30 days prior to screening
• No change in disease modifying therapy for 30 day prior to screening

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inflammatory myopathy
• Endocarditis, pericarditis o rother unstable heart disease
• Cardiac surgery or myocardial infarction in the last 3 months
• Decompensated congestive heart failure
• Severe aortic stenosis
• Severe pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary embolus or infarction in the last 6 months
• Uncontrolled hypertension by history or by screening or baseline diastolic blood pressure >170 or systolic blood pressure >105
• Concomitant neurodegenerative neurological disease such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Parkinsons or hemiplegic stroke
• females who are pregnant
• Cognitive deficits that would interfere with the subjects's ability to give informed consent or preform study testing
• Painful orthopedic condition affecting the lower limbs
• Any other serious and/or unstable medical condition