The Relationship Between Trunk Control and Disability in Persons with Early Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between physical disability and trunk control, balance, and gait parameters in persons with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) who have a low Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three RRMS patients with an age range of 18-50 years, EDSS score ≤ 3 were included in this study. The patients' level of disability (EDSS), trunk control) Trunk Impairment Scale - TIS), lower extremity functionality (Timed 25-Foot Walk Test - T25FW), upper extremity functionality (Nine Hole Peg Test- 9HPT), balance (Biodex Balance System) and gait (Zebris® FDM 2) were evaluated. Results: The mean EDSS score of 23 patients who participate in the study was 2,10±0,67. A moderate, negative correlation (r= -0.429) was found between EDSS and TIS-dynamic parameter, while a moderate, positive correlation (r= 0.608) was found with T25FW (p