Performance on the Berg Balance Scale in Fatigued Versus Nonfatigued States in People with Multiple Sclerosis

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in performance on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) between nonfatigued and fatigued conditions. The study included 29 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MS (mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 3.76 ± 1.34) who could ambulate with or without an assistive device for at least 6 minutes. Participants underwent testing on 2 separate days with a 1-week washout period. Each test began with completion of the Fatigue Severity Scale. The BBS then was administered, followed by either a 6-minute rest (nonfatigued condition) or a 6-minute walk (fatigued condition). The BBS was administered again after each condition. Each participant was administered both conditions on different days, the order of which was counterbalanced by random assignment. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (P < 0.001) indicated that participants had poorer BBS scores following the fatiguing condition. No significant difference was found between BBS scores on the first day or between the baseline scores on each day. This study shows that fatigue alters the performance of people with MS on the BBS. Clinicians should consider the potential impact of fatigue on BBS scores when assessing risk of falling.