The Reliability, Validity, and Responsiveness of the Static Balance Test in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

The Reliability, Validity, and Responsiveness of the Static Balance Test in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

The aim of the study is to investigate reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Static Balance Test in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

At baseline, the Static Balance Test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, Functional Reach Test, Four Square Step Test, and One-legged Stance Test is applied to the Multiple Sclerosis group. The Static Balance Test is repeated after seven days from the first application in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Healthy controls are going to perform only the Static Balance Test.

Inclusion Criteria:

• at least 18 years,
• neurologist-diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis,
• Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score < 7,
• able to walk 10 m with or without aids,
• no MS exacerbation within the last 2 months,
• use of stable medication in the last 2 months,

Exclusion Criteria:

• other neurologic disorder,
• Pregnancy,
• orhopedic problems iaffecting gait and stance,
• visual, auditory, orientational problems that could affect study results,
• Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and humoral disease.