Adapted Timed Up and Go: A Rapid Clinical Test to Assess Gait and Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis

Background/Aims: To measure the Timed Up and Go (TUG), imagined TUG (iTUG), and the difference of time between these two tests (delta time) in 20 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 20 healthy age-matched controls and to examine whether an association with cognitive functions, motor impairment, and behavioral changes can be determined. Methods: The mean +/- SD of TUG, iTUG and delta time were used as outcomes. Spatio-temporal gait parameters were recorded by a 12-camera optoelectronic system during straight walking at usual self-selected speed. Cognitive functions were assessed by a standardized neuropsychological examination. Results: Patients performed the TUG slower than the controls (10.00 +/- 1.70 s vs. 8.71 +/- 1.04 s, p = 0.01, respectively). The TUG was correlated with gait parameters, cognitive functions, and behavior, whereas delta time was correlated only with cognitive functions. Conclusion: TUG represents an interesting test to reveal subtle deficits in RRMS patients with low disability and is related to motor, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. Combining with the TUG, delta time could easily give additional information on specific cognitive functions in the assessment of patients with RRMS. Copyright (c) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel