Outcomes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease affecting the central nervous system(CNS). The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the myelin sheath that insulates your nerves; this insulation is essential for fast and effective nerve signals to travel throughout your body. In a normal motor or sensory pathway, signals can travel as fast as 400 mph. The immune system attacks the myelin sheath which covers the axon portion of the nerve cell. This significantly reduces the speed, efficiency and strength of the signal.

Clinically speaking, MS is a disease of movement. Physical therapy for your MS is an excellent treatment option as our physical therapists have developed techniques to unmask or open up new nerve pathways. This can improve the efficiency and quality of your movements as well as your strength. This is also known as neuromuscular re-education.

By working together, our occupational and cognitive therapists help us develop the most effective plan of care depending on what challenges you currently face.

Below are the validated and tests specific to MS that our team performs every 13 weeks.  This battery of tests allow our team to reverse declines and slow regression.

Objective Outcome Data

The Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) is a comprehensive assessment that identifies the principal ways MS affects an individual by evaluating leg function and ambulation; arm and hand function; cognitive function, visual function, and sensory function. Higher scores indicate multidimensional and functional improvement of the patient.

The 25-Foot Walk Test (25 FWT) is a timed test that measures walking speed.  Research has demonstrated a strong correlation between quality of life and walking speeds. The quicker one can walk, the better one’s quality of life. Although this test is only 25 feet, it tells clinicians and researchers much more than the distance of the test. This test is measured in seconds; decreased time indicates quicker walking speed and greater walking ability.

 The 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) is a timed test that measures hand function. The quicker one can complete the test, the better one’s upper extremity function. This test is used to identify motor impairments with the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder; it also shows hand-to-eye coordination as well as sensory function. The speed at which the test is performed indicates the effectiveness of these systems. This test is measured in seconds; decreased time indicates better fine motor function and sensory coordination.

 Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) assesses short-term memory and cognitive processing ability. The more answers one gets correct on this test, the better one’s working memory and cognitive processing ability. A higher score indicates better short-term memory and information processing.

 6 Minute Walk Test (6 MWT) assesses endurance, workload capacity and cardiopulmonary efficiency. The test is measured in feet; increased walking distance indicates better overall endurance and cardiopulmonary function.

Four Square Step Test (FSST) assess the patient’s standing-dynamic balance and ability to self-correct when there is a loss of balance. This is a timed test; the quicker a patient is able to complete the test, the better his/her dynamic balance. The test is measured in seconds; decreased time indicates better dynamic balance and self-correcting ability.

 Subjective Outcome Data  

The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory consists of 10 scales as indicated below:

Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36) assesses current health status from the patient’s perspective. There are two summary scales, both physical and mental, that are set up so that a higher score indicates better health. The range is 0-100.

Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) assesses the perceived impact of fatigue on a variety of daily activities. Higher scores indicate a greater impact of fatigue on patient’s activities. The range is 0-20.

 Pain Effects Scale (PES) measures the severity and impact of pain in the patient’s life. Higher scores indicate a greater impact of pain on a patient’s mood and behavior. The range is 6-30.

 Impact of Visual Impairment Scale (IVIS) measures visual acuity. The higher the score, the greater the impact of visual problems on daily activities. The range is 0-15.

 Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ) assesses perceived cognitive deficits from the patient’s perspective. The higher scores indicate greater perceived cognitive impairment. The range is 0-20.

 Mental Health Inventory (MHI) measures the overall emotional functioning (anxiety, depression, behavioral control and positive affect). The higher scores indicate better mental health. The range is 0-100.

 Modified Social Support Survey (MSSS) measures perceived social support (tangible support, emotional support, affectionate support and positive social interaction). Higher scores indicate greater perceived support. The range is 0-100.