Evaluating the Walking Adaptability Ladder Test and Foot Tap Test in Adults With Mild Multiple Sclerosis

What this Trial Is About

Walking and motor control difficulties are common in people with multiple sclerosis pwMS, even in those with mild disability. Early changes in walking can signal disease progression, but current tests mainly measure time or distance and may miss subtle changes. This research focuses on better ways to assess walking adaptability, which involves adjusting walking patterns in response to challenges like fatigue and balance. The study aims to evaluate two tests, the Walking Adaptability Ladder Test WALT and the Foot Tap Test FTT, in pwMS with mild disability to see how reliable and valid they are. The study will include 50 people with multiple sclerosis and 50 healthy controls matched by age and sex. Participants will complete the WALT, FTT, Balance Recovery Scale, and Gait-Specific Attention Profile twice, one week apart, to test reliability. Additional walking and motor function tests will be performed, including the Timed 25-Foot Walk and the 6-Minute Walk Test. Cognitive processing speed and patient-reported outcomes about walking limitations, fatigue, balance confidence, and fall concerns will also be collected. Data will be gathered in Spain, Italy, and Belgium, with retests performed in Spain. Participants will be assessed through various motor and walking tests, questionnaires, and wearable sensors to record movement. The study will analyze the consistency and accuracy of these tests and compare performance between pwMS and healthy controls. The main measurements are the WALT and FTT performed on two separate days. The research will help identify which tests best detect subtle walking impairments and how clinical test results relate to patients self-reported experiences. The study participation spans the test days and follow-up for reliability testing.

Measurement Properties of the Walking Adaptability Ladder Test and Foot Tap Test in Multiple Sclerosis