The 6MW is a feasible, reproducible, and reliable measure in MS. MS subjects demonstrate motor fatigue in both 6MW distance and speed compared with controls. In MS subjects there is an inverse relationship between motor fatigue and disability. 6MW has a strong correlation to subjective measures of ambulation and physical fatigue.

Researchers increasingly use self-reported health status assessments, but these require validation. Performance Scales (PS) is a self-report measure for multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated disability, assessing mobility, bowel/bladder, fatigue, sensory, vision, cognition, spasticity and hand function. The criterion validity of the total PS score was established using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), but the construct and criterion validity of the individual subscales have not been established. We assessed the criterion and construct validity of the PS subscales. Forty-four patients with MS completed PS, and these criterion measurements: neurological examination (EDSS), the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), contrast acuity testing, and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory. We assessed criterion and construct validity with Spearman rank correlations between PS subscales and the other measurements. PS correlated with the MSFC (r=-0.58, P<0.0001). The mobility, hand, vision, fatigue and bladder subscales correlated with their criterion measures (r=0.59-0.77, P<0.0001). The sensory subscale correlated weakly with the sensory functional system score (r=0.39, P=0.01 ), and the cognitive subscale did not correlate with the PASAT (r=-0.17, P=0.26). This study supports the criterion and construct validity of PS overall, and its mobility, hand, vision, fatigue, and bladder subscales. Further assessment of the cognitive, sensory and spasticity subscales is needed.

In a phase 2 trial involving patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, ibudilast was associated with slower progression of brain atrophy than placebo but was associated with higher rates of gastrointestinal side effects, headache, and depression. (Funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and others; NN102/SPRINT-MS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01982942 .).

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Using a cross-sectional design, we identified 2 clinically meaningful T25FW benchmarks of ≥6 seconds (6-7.99) and ≥8 seconds. Longitudinal and larger studies are needed to confirm the clinical utility and relevance of these proposed T25FW benchmarks and to parse out whether there are additional benchmarks in the lower (<6 seconds) and higher (>10 seconds) ranges of performance.