Ylva Nilsagard, Cecilia Lundholm, Lars-Gunnar Gunnarsson, Eva Denison
The aim of the present study was to clarify the reproducibility, smallest percentage difference needed to be able to detect a genuine change and correlation regarding the 10-m and 30-m timed walks (10TW, 30TW) and the 
timed up and go
(TUG) test in people with moderate multiple sclerosis (MS). The 10TW and 30TW were performed three times and TUG twice at each testing in 43 people in two randomised groups. The results showed that the reproducibility was very high. The smallest percentage difference needed to be able to detect a genuine change in the entire study group was approximately -23% or +31% for either the 10TW or TUG. It was evident from the 30TW testing results that lower values applied to those with less (-14% to +17%) rather than more (-38% or +60%) disability. The authors conclude that it is sufficient to use only one attempt and to choose only one of the tests when evaluating people with moderate MS. In the case of the 30TW, greater attention must be paid to the degree of disability when determining the smallest percentage difference needed to establish a genuine change, than with either the 10TW or TUG.
Physiotherapy Research international, 2007, 12(2), 104-114
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