LAUSR

Fear of falling (FoF) and actual falling typifies two common complaints in people with MS (PwMS). The objective of our study was to examine the Instrumented Timed-Up-and-Go test (ITUG) in relation to falls and FoF in PwMS. This case-control study comprised 75 participants; 50 PwMS (33 women), aged 44.2 (S.D = 7.2) and 25 healthy subjects (18 women) aged 44.4 (S.D = 8.6). The ITUG test was evaluated by the APDM Mobility lab (Portland, OR, USA) and was completed under two task conditions, normal and while performing a cognitive test (ITUG-cog). FoF was evaluated by the FES-I questionnaire. PwMS were divided into subgroups of fallers and non-fallers based on their fall history. Total duration to complete the ITUG and ITUG-cog was higher in the PwMS group compared to the healthy controls. Total duration to complete the ITUG-cog was higher compared to the normal ITUG in both groups. However, non-significant differences were found for the condition x group factor. The total duration to complete the ITUG was increased in the MS fallers compared to the non-fallers. No other differences in ITUG measures were found between MS subgroups. According to the regression analysis, the sit-to-stand phase explained 22.7% of the variance relating to FoF in PwMS (R2 = 0.227). The study provides new insights into the TUG test in PwMS. The sit-to-stand transition appears to be a major component associated with FoF. Furthermore, the cognitive-motor interference in conjunction with the ITUG is probably not unique in PwMS.