Predicting Falls in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis using Patient-Reported Measures: Are Perceptions of Dual-Tasking Missing?

Conference Year

January 2022

Abstract

Background and Objective

This study examined self-reported predictors of falling in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and evaluated the contribution of measuring perceived dual-tasking.

Methods

Seventy-nine pwMS completed a survey including self-report measures of disease status, ambulation disability, concern about falling, fatigue impact, and dual-tasking ability. Retrospective fall status was obtained.

Results

Findings showed that dual-tasking and ambulation disability were the only significant predictors of falling. An expanded dual-task questionnaire (DTQ) better discriminated fallers from non-fallers

Conclusions

DTQ’s have the potential to improve measurement of fall status in pwMS outside the clinic, promoting early intervention.

Primary Faculty Mentor Name

Susan Kasser

Graduate Student Mentors

Michael Vannostrand

Status

Undergraduate

Student College

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Program/Major

Exercise Science

Primary Research Category

Health Sciences

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Predicting Falls in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis using Patient-Reported Measures: Are Perceptions of Dual-Tasking Missing?

Background and Objective

This study examined self-reported predictors of falling in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and evaluated the contribution of measuring perceived dual-tasking.

Methods

Seventy-nine pwMS completed a survey including self-report measures of disease status, ambulation disability, concern about falling, fatigue impact, and dual-tasking ability. Retrospective fall status was obtained.

Results

Findings showed that dual-tasking and ambulation disability were the only significant predictors of falling. An expanded dual-task questionnaire (DTQ) better discriminated fallers from non-fallers

Conclusions

DTQ’s have the potential to improve measurement of fall status in pwMS outside the clinic, promoting early intervention.