Rethinking EDSS-based ambulation assessment in multiple sclerosis using continuous variable monitoring - PubMed
2 hours ago
- #Digital health technologies
- #Multiple sclerosis
- #EDSS assessment
- The EDSS-based assessment of walking ability in multiple sclerosis relies on single, patient-estimated measurements, which can be inaccurate.
- Digital health technologies, like smartwatches, enable continuous monitoring of physical activity, providing more objective data on real-world mobility.
- The study found moderate correlation between patient-estimated walking distance and clinically measured distance, with most patients misjudging distances relative to EDSS thresholds.
- Walking distance showed intra-individual variability over time, highlighting the limitations of single clinical evaluations.
- Smartwatch-derived metrics (daily walking distance, step count, peak steps) correlated negatively with EDSS scores, aligning with clinical measures and capturing real-world mobility.