Meta- analysis demonstrated fallers perform significantly worse than non-fallers on all measures analysed except the Timed Up and Go Cognitive ( p < 0.05 ) , but discriminative ability of the measures is commonly not reported .
Of those reported , the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value ( 0.92 ) , but without reporting corresponding measures of clinical utility .
Conclusion : Clinical measures of balance differ significantly between fallers and non-fallers but have poor predictive ability for falls risk in people with multiple sclerosis
Objective : To determine the ability of clinical measures of balance to distinguish fallers from non-fallers and to determine their predictive validity in identifying those at risk of falls .
Mobility, Balance and Falls in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Background There is a lack of information concerning the relation between objective measures of gait and balance and fall history in persons with MS ( PwMS ) . This investigation assessed the relation between demographic , clinical , mobility and balance metrics and falls history in persons with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) . Methods 52 ambulatory persons with MS ( PwMS ) participated in the investigation . All persons provided demographic information including fall history over the last 12 months . Disease status was assessed with Exp and  ed Disability Status Scale ( EDSS ) . Walking speed , coordination , endurance and postural control were quantified with a multidimensional mobility battery . Results Over 51 % of the participants fell in the previous year with 79 % of these people being suffering recurrent falls . Overall , fallers were older , had a greater prevalence of assistive devices use , worse disability , decreased walking endurance , and greater postural sway velocity with eyes closed compared to non-fallers . Additionally , fallers had greater impairment in cerebellar , sensory , pyramidal , and bladder/bowel subscales of the EDSS . Conclusions The current observations suggest that PwMS who are older , more disabled , utilize an assistive device , have decreased walking coordination and endurance and have diminished balance have fallen in the previous year . This suggests that individuals who meet these criteria need to be carefully monitored for future falls . Future research is needed to determine a prospect i ve model of falls specific to PwMS . Additionally , the utility of interventions aim ed at reducing falls and fall risk in PwMS needs to be established
Meta- analysis demonstrated fallers perform significantly worse than non-fallers on all measures analysed except the Timed Up and Go Cognitive ( p < 0.05 ) , but discriminative ability of the measures is commonly not reported .
Of those reported , the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value ( 0.92 ) , but without reporting corresponding measures of clinical utility .
Conclusion : Clinical measures of balance differ significantly between fallers and non-fallers but have poor predictive ability for falls risk in people with multiple sclerosis
Objective : To determine the ability of clinical measures of balance to distinguish fallers from non-fallers and to determine their predictive validity in identifying those at risk of falls .