The Relationship Between Trunk Control and Disability in Persons with Early Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between physical disability and trunk control, balance, and gait parameters in persons with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) who have a low Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three RRMS patients with an age range of 18-50 years, EDSS score ≤ 3 were included in this study. The patients' level of disability (EDSS), trunk control) Trunk Impairment Scale - TIS), lower extremity functionality (Timed 25-Foot Walk Test - T25FW), upper extremity functionality (Nine Hole Peg Test- 9HPT), balance (Biodex Balance System) and gait (Zebris® FDM 2) were evaluated. Results: The mean EDSS score of 23 patients who participate in the study was 2,10±0,67. A moderate, negative correlation (r= -0.429) was found between EDSS and TIS-dynamic parameter, while a moderate, positive correlation (r= 0.608) was found with T25FW (p<0.05). A moderate, positive correlation was also found between EDSS and dominant and non-dominant 9HPT scores (respectively, r= 0.423, r= 0.498) (p<0.05). Conclusion: EDSS, is not sufficient alone in terms of functionality, especially in patients with low disability. In these early stage patients, trunk, upper extremity, gait and balance assessments should be included in routine assessments.

Keywords

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Disability
• Trunk control
• Functionality

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