title: Associations of upper limb disability measures on different levels of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in people with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is unknown how impairments caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) affect upper limb capacity, performance, and community integration.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which impairments explained the variance in activity level and participation level measures of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the extent to which upper limb capacity measures explained perceived performance on the activity level in people with MS and different dexterity levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 105 people with MS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale=6.5) were assessed with measures on the ICF body functions and structures level (strength, active range of motion of the wrist, tactile sensitivity, tremor, spasticity, and pain), activity level (Nine-Hole Peg Test [NHPT], Action Research Arm Test, and Manual Ability Measure-36 [MAM-36]), and participation level (Community Integration Questionnaire). The sample was divided into low- and high-dexterity subgroups on the basis of the median score on the NHPT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the total group, muscle strength, tactile sensitivity of the thumb, and intention tremor explained 53% to 64% of the variance in activity level measures. In the low-dexterity subgroup, muscle strength and active range of motion explained 43% to 71% of the variance in activity level measures. In the high-dexterity subgroup, only 35% of the variance in the MAM-36 was explained by muscle strength. Capacity measures (NHPT and Action Research Arm Test) were moderately to highly associated with perceived performance (MAM-36) in the low-dexterity subgroup.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some outcome measures showed ceiling effects in people with MS and a high dexterity level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Upper limb muscle strength is the most important impairment affecting capacity and perceived performance in daily life. Associations among outcome measures differ in people with MS and different dexterity levels.
authors.affiliation: I. Lamers, PhD, REVAL-Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED-Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building A, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium. ilse.lamers@uhasselt.be.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lamers
authors.affiliation: D. Cattaneo, PhD, Larice Lab, Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
authors.affiliation: C.C. Chen, ScD, OTR/L, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Texas-El Paso, El Paso, Texas.
authors.forename: Christine C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: R. Bertoni, MSc, Larice Lab, Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bertoni
authors.affiliation: B. Van Wijmeersch, MD, PhD, REVAL-Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED-Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, and Rehabilitation and MS Center, Overpelt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Wijmeersch
authors.affiliation: P. Feys, PhD, REVAL-Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED-Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Feys
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology; D014202:Tremor / Q000503:physiopathology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*