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TRACKING WALKING CAPACITY IN PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WITHOUT DISABILITY: 3-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE GAIT MEASURES
ZUHAL ABASYANK, CAVD BABA, PNAR YGT, ULV SAMADZADE, TURHAN KAHRAMAN
Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Research - 2025;5(1):13-17
Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkiye

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine changes in walking performance over a 3-year period in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) with no or mild disability. Materials and Methods A total of 321 pwMS (mean age 32.3 9.8 years, 75% female, median Expanded Disability Status Scale 1.0) were followed for 3 years. Walking performance was assessed using the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FW), Six-Spot Step Test (SSST), 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12). Leisure-time exercise habits were assessed with the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. RESULTS Walking performance remained stable over the 3-year period. The median T25FW time showed no significant change (4.8 s to 4.7 s, p=0.3), nor did the SSST time (7.7 s to 7.2 s, p=0.517). Similarly, there were no significant changes in the 2MWT distance (171 m to 174 m, p=0.178) or TUG time (6.8 s to 6.9 s, p=0.831). Self-reported walking disability MSWS-12 and leisure-time physical activity levels also remained consistent (p=0.692 and p=0.394, respectively). CONCLUSION The findings indicate that pwMS with no or mild disability maintained stable walking performance over a 3-year span. This stability may be attributed to functional reserve and lifestyle factors that support mobility preservation despite disease progression. Future studies should incorporate more detailed gait analyses and further explore the role of lifestyle factors.

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