Italian validation of the 12-item multiple sclerosis walking scale

C Solaro; E Trabucco; A Signori; M Cella; M Messmer Uccelli; G Brichetto; P Cavalla; M Gironi; F Patti; L Prosperini

doi:10.1155/2015/540828

Italian validation of the 12-item multiple sclerosis walking scale

Mult Scler Int. 2015:2015:540828. doi: 10.1155/2015/540828. Epub 2015 Mar 26.

Authors

C Solaro¹, E Trabucco², A Signori³, M Cella¹, M Messmer Uccelli⁴, G Brichetto⁵, P Cavalla⁶, M Gironi⁷, F Patti⁸, L Prosperini⁹

Affiliations

¹ Neurology Unit, Head and Neck Department, ASL 3 "Genovese", 16154 Genova, Italy.
² Neurology Unit, Head and Neck Department, ASL 3 "Genovese", 16154 Genova, Italy ; Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Genoa, 16126 Genova, Italy.
³ Department of Health Sciences, Section of Biostatistics University of Genova, 16126 Genova, Italy.
⁴ Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society, 16149 Genova, Italy.
⁵ Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, 16149 Genova, Italy.
⁶ Department of Neurosciences, AOU S. Giovanni Battista, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy.
⁷ INSPE, Neuroscience Division, IRCCS HSR, 20132 Milano, Italy ; CAM, Polidiagnostic Center, 20900 Monza, Italy.
⁸ Department DANA, "GF Ingrassia", Neuroscience Section (Multiple Sclerosis Centre), University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
⁹ MS Centre, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy.

Abstract

Objective. Gait impairment is commonly in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The 12-item MS walking scale (MSWS-12) assesses patients' measurement of walking quality. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the MSWS-12 for the Italian population with MS. Methods. Six MS out-patient clinics across Italy enrolled subjects between June 2013 and December 2013. Construct validity of MSWS-12 was determined by examining correlations with the Italian version of the EDSS, the timed 25-foot walk (T25FW), and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results. 321 MS subjects were enrolled. Mean age was 47.55 years and mean disease duration was 13.8 years. Mean EDSS score was 4.46. 185 subjects had a relapsing-remitting course, 92 were secondary progressive, 43 were primary progressive, and 1 had a clinically isolated syndrome. The mean total score of the MSWS-12 was 49.6 (SD: 31) with values ranging between 0 and 100. Correlations between the MSWS-12 with age, disease duration, and disease course were found but not with gender. Values of the MSWS-12/IT were significantly related to EDSS (0.71), to the T25FW (0.65), and to the FSS (0.51). Conclusion. MSWS-12/IT has been adapted and validated, it is a reliable and reproducible scale for Italian patients with MS.