| COMPARISON OF TUG TEST PERFORMANCE BETWEEN TWO EDSS LEVELS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS |
| Paper ID : 1147-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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Seyyed Erfan Mohammadalinezhad *1, Farideh Babakhani1, Mohamadreza Hatefi1, Ebrahim Ebrahimi2, Morteza Saeidi3, Saeedeh Sadat Mirtooni3 1Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran 2Department of Sport Injuries and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 3Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system that often leads to progressive physical disability and impaired mobility. Assessing functional mobility is essential for monitoring disease progression and evaluating the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is commonly used to quantify disability in MS, but it may not fully capture subtle changes in mobility performance. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple and reliable clinical tool for evaluating functional mobility, balance, and fall risk in individuals with MS. Comparing TUG performance across different EDSS levels can provide valuable insights into how disability severity influences mobility and functional independence in this population. Methods: Twenty female individuals with MS participated in this study and were divided into two groups based on their EDSS scores: one group with an EDSS of 2.0 and another with an EDSS of 2.5, each consisting of ten participants. Functional mobility was assessed using the Expanded Timed Up and Go (ETUG) test, a modified version of the traditional TUG designed to provide a more detailed evaluation of movement phases. Data analysis was performed using an independent t-test to compare ETUG performance between the two groups. Results: The results revealed a significant difference in ETUG performance between the two groups (p < 0.01). Participants with an EDSS score of 2.5 demonstrated significantly longer ETUG completion times compared to those with an EDSS of 2.0, indicating slower functional mobility and reduced movement efficiency. Conclusion: Even a 0.5-point increase in EDSS was linked to a noticeable decline in mobility performance. These results highlight the importance of incorporating detailed mobility assessments such as the ETUG into clinical evaluations to detect early functional changes and guide targeted rehabilitation strategies. |
| Keywords |
| Multiple sclerosis, Expanded Disability Status Scale, Expanded Timed Up and Go |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
