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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Testing the construct validity of real-world digital mobility outcomes in multiple sclerosis
Gavin Brittain1, Michael Long2, Ellen Buckley3
1Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
Digital mobility outcomes (DMOs) from wearable devices are now clinically validated for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Nineteen DMOs across all walking domains demonstrated construct validity, supporting their use in research and clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Neurology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Wearable devices offer novel ways to measure real-world mobility using digital mobility outcomes (DMOs).
- Clinical validation of DMOs in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) was previously lacking.
- This study addresses the need for validated DMOs in pwMS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the construct validity of 24 digital mobility outcomes (DMOs).
- To assess convergent, divergent, and known-groups validity of DMOs in pwMS.
- To establish the clinical utility of DMOs for mobility assessment in multiple sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- 556 pwMS participated in a 7-day real-world mobility monitoring study using a wearable device.
- Assessed DMOs across walking amount, pattern, pace, rhythm, and variability.
- Evaluated validity against clinical scales (EDSS, T25FW, MSWS-12) and blood pressure, with expert consensus.
Main Results:
- Construct validity was supported for 19 out of 24 DMOs.
- Convergent, divergent, and known-groups validity were demonstrated for 19, 24, and 23 DMOs, respectively.
- Nineteen DMOs, spanning all assessed walking domains, achieved consensus.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms the construct validity of 19 DMOs in pwMS.
- Validated DMOs support the use of wearable technology in multiple sclerosis clinical research.
- Findings pave the way for integrating DMOs into clinical practice for mobility monitoring.
