Association between the Hopkins Falls grading scale and motor function tests in patients with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Gerontology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly causes balance and walking impairments, increasing fall risk.
• Falls in MS patients can lead to serious complications and reduced quality of life.
• Effective fall risk assessment is crucial for managing MS progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the Hopkins Falls Grading Scale (HFGS) and motor function tests in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
• To determine if fall severity, as measured by HFGS, correlates with specific motor function deficits.
• To provide insights for clinical practice in fall risk evaluation for MS individuals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 85 MS patients from the MS Association of Mashhad, Iran.
• Utilized the Hopkins Falls Grading Scale (HFGS) to assess falls over the past year.
• Employed the Timed 25-foot Walk (T25FW) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests to evaluate motor function.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant association was found between HFGS and both T25FW and TUG tests (P < 0.0001).
• Age (P = 0.006), disease duration (P = 0.03), and use of mobility devices (P = 0.05) were also significantly associated with HFGS.
• These findings indicate a strong correlation between fall history and objective measures of motor impairment in MS.

Conclusions:

• The HFGS is a valuable tool for assessing fall risk in MS patients.
• Clinical evaluation of motor function tests should incorporate fall risk assessment.
• Healthcare providers should be vigilant in evaluating fall status in MS patients with observed motor deficits.