The Mediating Role of Balance in the Relationship Between Fatigue and Fear of Falling in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Observational Model: Cross-Sectional.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Multiple Sclerosis. Basic parameters: 18 years — 75 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
Fatigue, balance impairment, and fear of falling are common problems in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Previous studies have shown significant associations among these variables; however, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between fatigue and fear of falling remain unclear. It is possible that fatigue increases fear of falling indirectly through its negative effects on balance performance.
Detailed description
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that frequently leads to fatigue, balance impairment, and fear of falling. These symptoms negatively affect mobility, independence, participation in daily activities, and quality of life. Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms in individuals with MS and may contribute to impaired balance and an increased risk of falls.
Fear of falling is highly prevalent in people with MS and is associated with reduced physical activity, activity avoidance, and functional decline. Balance impairment is another common manifestation of MS and may represent an important mechanism linking fatigue to fear of falling. However, although fatigue, balance, and fear of falling have been investigated separately, the mediating role of balance in the relationship between fatigue and fear of falling has not been sufficiently explored.
The aim of this cross-sectional observational study is to investigate whether balance mediates the relationship between fatigue and fear of falling in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Fatigue will be assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), balance performance will be evaluated using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), and fear of falling will be measured using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I).
The findings of this study are expected to improve the understanding of the mechanisms underlying fear of falling in individuals with MS and provide evidence to support the development of rehabilitation programs targeting balance to reduce fear of falling and improve functional outcomes.
Interventions
- Other Observational Model: Cross-Sectional
Observational Model: Cross-Sectional
Primary outcome measures
- Falls Efficacy Scale-International [Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline (single assessment)]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) [Time frame: Baseline (single assessment)]
- Baseline (single assessment) [Time frame: Baseline (single assessment)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age 18-65 years
- Neurologist-confirmed MS diagnosis
- No relapse within the previous 30 days
- Ability to walk independently or with an assistive device
- Ability to understand instructions
- Voluntary participation
Exclusion criteria
- Recent MS relapse
- Severe vestibular disorder
- Other neurological diseases
- Severe orthopedic conditions affecting mobility
- Recent lower extremity surgery or trauma
- Cardiopulmonary conditions limiting assessment
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Üsküdar university — Istanbul
Publications
- Nilsagard Y, Lundholm C, Denison E, Gunnarsson LG. Predicting accidental falls in people with multiple sclerosis -- a longitudinal study. Clin Rehabil. 2009 Mar;23(3):259-69. doi: 10.1177/0269215508095087. PMID 19218300
- Bakshi R. Fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis: diagnosis, impact and management. Mult Scler. 2003 Jun;9(3):219-27. doi: 10.1191/1352458503ms904oa. PMID 12814166
- Hebert JR, Corboy JR. The association between multiple sclerosis-related fatigue and balance as a function of central sensory integration. Gait Posture. 2013 May;38(1):37-42. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.10.015. Epub 2012 Nov 28. PMID 23200463
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07680049 · Uskudar-MS