A pilot study of a comparison between a patient scored numeric rating scale and clinician scored measures of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the validity and reliability of a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for the measurement of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.


METHODS
Longitudinal study with multiple comparators over two clinic visits.


METHODS
Rehabilitation Centre in the North East of England, UK.


METHODS
A total of thirty-five patients, with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) that were attending a rehabilitation clinic.


RESULTS
The test/re-test reliability of the NRS showed there was a high correlation between the two visits (r = 0.672). Construct validity was assessed by examining the relationship between the mean spasticity NRS and each of the other spasticity assessment tools. There was a statistically significant correlation between subject's mean NRS diary scores and the Modified Ashworth Scale scores at both visits (Visit 1, r = 0.459, p = 0.0056; Visit 2, r = 0.446, p = 0.0106). There was a moderate, statistically significant correlation between the mean NRS diary scores and the Tardieu Scale (Visit 1, r = 0.429, p = 0.0113; Visit 2, r = 0.407, p = 0.0209).


CONCLUSIONS
The spasticity NRS has been shown to be a valid and reliable tool in the assessment of spasticity with a moderate to high level of correlation with other clinician rated instruments used to assess spasticity.
Anwar
Khalid
K
Walkergate Park International Centre for Neurorehabilitation, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Khalid.anwar@stees.nhs.uk
Barnes
M P
MP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index