RT Journal Article ID 6962ec5569dc4f20 A1 Karpatkin, Herb I. A1 Cohen, Evan T. A1 Rzetelny, Adam A1 Erlandsson, Katarina A1 Gibbons, Sarah A1 Griffith, Heather A1 Isham, Laura B. T1 Performance on the Berg Balance Scale in Fatigued Versus Nonfatigued States in People with Multiple Sclerosis JF Critical Reviews™ in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine JO CRP YR 2013 FD 2013-12-20 VO 25 IS 3-4 SP 223 OP 230 K1 balance K1 fatigue K1 fall prediction K1 falls risk K1 multiple sclerosis K1 MS AB The purpose of this study was to examine differences in performance on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) between nonfatigued and fatigued conditions. The study included 29 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MS (mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 3.76 ± 1.34) who could ambulate with or without an assistive device for at least 6 minutes. Participants underwent testing on 2 separate days with a 1-week washout period. Each test began with completion of the Fatigue Severity Scale. The BBS then was administered, followed by either a 6-minute rest (nonfatigued condition) or a 6-minute walk (fatigued condition). The BBS was administered again after each condition. Each participant was administered both conditions on different days, the order of which was counterbalanced by random assignment. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (P < 0.001) indicated that participants had poorer BBS scores following the fatiguing condition. No significant difference was found between BBS scores on the first day or between the baseline scores on each day. This study shows that fatigue alters the performance of people with MS on the BBS. Clinicians should consider the potential impact of fatigue on BBS scores when assessing risk of falling. PB Begell House LK https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/757fcb0219d89390,43a5b3f6365fc080,6962ec5569dc4f20.html