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Reliability and Validity of Trunk Assessment for People With Multiple Sclerosis

G Verheyden, PT, is Research Assistant, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
G Nuyens, PT, PhD, is Research Physiotherapist, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and Physiotherapist, National Multiple Sclerosis Center, Melsbroek, Belgium
A Nieuwboer, PT, PhD, is Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
P Van Asch, PT, is Head of Physiotherapy, National Multiple Sclerosis Center, Melsbroek
P Ketelaer, MD, is former Medical Director, National Multiple Sclerosis Center, Melsbroek
W De Weerdt, PT, PhD, is Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

(geert.verheyden{at}faber.kuleuven.be). Address all correspondence to Mr Verheyden

Background and Purpose. Standardized scales are a prerequisite for rehabilitation and research. This study was designed to determine the reliability and validity of scores on items of the trunk assessment of the Melsbroek Disability Scoring Test (MDST) and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Subjects. Thirty people with MS participated in the study.

Methods. Interrater and test-retest reliability and construct validity were assessed.

Results. Kappa and weighted kappa values for the items of the trunk assessment of the MDST ranged from .74 to .95, and the kappa and weighted kappa values for the TIS items ranged from .46 to 1.00. Intraclass correlation coefficients for interrater and test-retest agreement were .93 and .92, respectively, for the trunk assessment of the MDST and .97 and .95, respectively, for the TIS. Bland-Altman analysis showed consistency of scores without observer bias. Construct validity was established.

Discussion and Conclusion. The MDST and TIS provide reliable assessments of the trunk and are valid scales for measuring trunk performance in people with MS. [Verheyden G, Nuyens G, Nieuwboer A, et al. Reliability and validity of trunk assessment for people with multiple sclerosis.

Key Words: Multiple sclerosis • Outcome assessment • Rehabilitation • Reproducibility of results

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Verheyden, A. Nieuwboer, A. Van de Winckel, and W. De Weerdt Clinical tools to measure trunk performance after stroke: a systematic review of the literature Clinical Rehabilitation, May 1, 2007; 21(5): 387 - 394. [Abstract] [PDF]