Responsiveness of Choice Reaction and Movement Time in Multiple Sclerosis (Clinical Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to assess the responsiveness of a choice reaction time test in patients with MS. METHODS. Patients with MS still ambulatory were evaluated on a lower extremity choice reaction time (CRT) and movement (MT) test at 6 month intervals for one year. Lower extremity manual muscle strength by dynamometry, and timed balance were utilized for concurrent validity. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)(Kurtzke, 1983) examinations were conducted at 6-month intervals for one year. Patients were also evaluated on a timed 25-foot walk (T8) to assess functional ambulation. RESULTS. EDSS assessments disclosed no significant change in patient disease progression. CRT and MT demonstrated a significant worsening over the 6-month retest periods, which was supported by decreases in manual muscle strength tests. T8 performance was found to be significantly different (slower) from baseline to 6-month retest. However, the percentage decrease in T8 performance did not approach the percentage indicative of a change of 0.5 on the EDSS scale as defined in previous studies (1, 2). CONCLUSION. While the EDSS in the studied groups did not significantly change over this short time period, the indicated significant change in CRT and MT denotes the ability to sensitively detect subclinical progression of disease which may prove useful for the clinician, and in clinical trials of new therapeutic agents for MS.