Assessment Overview

Purpose: The 12-item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12) is a self-report measure to determine the impact MS has had on individual walking ability. Each item is given a rank from 0-5, with 0 being no limitation and 5 being extreme limitation. Items include the impact of MS on walking distance and speed, stairs, standing ability, balance when walking, and support needed when walking.

Equipment: None

ICF Category: Activity

Details: The score from each item is added up and a total score is reported out of 60 possible points. This is then transformed to a scale with a score of 0-100. Higher scores indicate that the MS is having a greater impact on the individual's walking ability compared to lower scores.

Assessment Handout

Assessment Psychometrics

According to the ICF domain, the MSWS-12 looks at activity limitations, specifically, gait. Neuro PT EDGE highly recommends (4/4) using this test across all settings: acute, inpatient rehab, home health, outpatient, and skilled nursing. This test is also highly recommended (4/4) for use with individuals with the following levels of disability: 0.0-3.5, 4.0-5.5, 6.0-7.5. Students should learn to administer this tool, and this tool is validated to be used in research studies. It is highly recommended with psychometric properties to support the use of the test; however, more research could be done on a potential MDC, MCID, or SEM values for this test. There is still some limited evidence regarding reliability with this outcome measure as well. The psychometric properties gathered from this test when used with the MS population are presented below:

• Concurrent Validity: r=0.65 with EDSS; r=-0.79 with SF-36 (physical functioning); r=0.79 MSIS-29 (physical portion)

• Cutoff Score: ≥ 75 had a sensitivity of 52 and a specificity of 82 in predicting fallers vs non-fallers in 76 patients with MS, EDSS scores 3.5-6.0

• Floor/Ceiling Effects: Extreme ceiling effects; No limitations in floor effects

• Mean Data: 28.2, in 40 patients with MS, EDSS 0-6.5

• Test-retest Reliability: ICC=0.94 in population of 400 patients; ICC=0.87 and 0.86 after 6 and 12 months