Reproducibility and Convergent Validity of the Sitting-Rising Test in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: To evaluate the test-retest reproducibility and convergent validity of the sitting-rising test (SRT) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Design: Observational study comprising a test-retest design. Setting: Multiple Sclerosis Center, Rehabilitation Hospital at Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. Participants: A total of 50 PwMS (32 women, 18 men, N=50), mean age 44.8 +/- 7.6 years and mean disease duration of 13.8 +/- 8.5 years since diagnosis, were enrolled in the study. The median Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 4.5, indicating a mild-moderate neurologic disability. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: SRT, posturography measures, 10-repetion sit-to-stand test (10STS), timed Up and Go (TUG) test, hand grip strength, strength of hip flexion/extension/abduction, knee flexion/extension, and Fall Status Questionnaire. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient value for the intrarater test-retest reproducibility (7- to 10-day interval between tests) of the SRT test, was 0.931 (95% confidence interval, 0.796-0.977). Strong correlations were found between the SRT, TUG test (rho = -0.709), and 10STS (rho = -0.719), and moderate correlations were found between the SRT and postural control measures (rho similar to 0.4). Moderate correlations were found between the SRT and the hip and knee strength (combined) of the weaker limb (rho = 0.344). No differences were found in the SRT score between fallers and nonfallers. Conclusions: The current study supports the convergent validity and test-retest reproducibility of the SRT in PwMS. (C) 2021 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine