The reliability of the MSFC and its components

BACKGROUND: The Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) is a multidimensional measurement tool for multiple sclerosis (MS) including a measure of ambulation (Timed 25-foot Walk [TWT]), arm function (Nine-Hole Peg Test [9HPT]) and cognition (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test [PASAT]). OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability and practice effects in the Finnish version of the MSFC and its components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten relapsing-remitting MS patients and 10 healthy controls underwent five testing sessions with the MSFC over a 4-week period. RESULTS: The MSFC showed excellent intra- (0.99) and inter-rater (1.0) reliability. The MSFC, especially the 9HPT and the PASAT showed significant practice effects. On the 9HPT the controls remained stable whereas the patients improved their performance; on the PASAT both groups improved. CONCLUSIONS: The MSFC showed excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability although the 9HPT and the PASAT were prone to considerable practice effects.