Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Dynamic disability measures decrease the clinico-radiological gap in people with severely affected multiple sclerosis
Dejan Jakimovski1, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman2, Alex Burnham3
1Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Background:
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is limited when utilized in highly disabled people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).
Objetive:
To explore the relationship between disability measures and MRI outcomes in severely-affected pwMS.
Methods:
PwMS recruited from The Boston Home (TBH), a specialized residential facility for severly-affected pwMS and University at Buffalo (UB) MS Center were assessed using EDSS, MS Severity Scale, age-related MSS, Scripps Neurological Rating Scale (SNRS) and Combinatorial Weight-Adjusted Disability Score (CombiWISE). In all scores except SNRS, higher score indicates greater disability. MRI measures of T1, T2-lesion volume (LV), whole brain, gray matter, medulla oblongata and thalamic volumes (WBV, GMV, MOV, TV) and thalamic dysconnectivity were obtained.
Results:
Greatest disability differences between the TBH and UB pwMS were in SNRS (24.4 vs 71.9, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 4.05) and CombiWISE (82.3 vs. 38.9, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 4.02). In combined analysis of all pwMS, worse SNRS scores were correlated with worse MRI pathology in 8 out of 9 outcomes. EDSS only with 3 measures (GMV, MOV and TV). In severely-affected pwMS, SNRS was associated with T1-LV, T2-LV and WBV (not surviving false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple comparisons) whereas EDSS did not.
Conclusion:
Granular and dynamic disability measures may bridge the clinico-radiologcal gap present in severely affected pwMS.
