Abstract Details

Title Early Mobility Impairment: Bridging the Communication Gap between People with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Healthcare Providers

Topic MS and Related Diseases

Presentation(s) P03 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 221

Objective

Background BACKGROUND: Among patients with MS, up to 93% report some degree of mobility impairment; up to 58% experience mobility problems within the first year following diagnosis. Mobility impairment can negatively impact social participation, emotional health, and overall quality of life. However, despite the significant burden, 40% of patients with MS-related walking difficulties "rarely or never" discuss them with their healthcare providers. Assessments designed to evaluate impaired mobility exist, but tools to address the communication gap are currently lacking.

Design/Methods DESIGN/METHODS: The EMIQ was developed using two key sources: expert healthcare provider input and semi-structured patient and clinician interviews (n=12 each). Patients recruited had an EDSS range of 3 to 5. The Simulated Surgeries[TM] methodology assessed patients' understanding of the EMIQ, and physicians' feedback on its use in clinical practice.

Results RESULTS: The initial EMIQ is a short screening tool asking patients to rate problems in daily activities related to general mobility, domestic life, work life, and community and leisure activities across five domains; these include: increased concentration, increased effort/ decreased endurance, imbalance, incoordination, and uncertainty and avoidance. Patients and clinicians completed the final Simulated Surgeries[TM] to further refine the expert clinician-developed instrument. Items in the final instrument are measured on a 4-point rating scale ("none of the time" to "all of the time"); possible impairment was assessed by individual item scores as well as total score.

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS: The EMIQ continues to undergo psychometric testing with a scoring algorithm. It is suitable for use in clinical practice and may assist in identifying mobility-related restrictions in activities and social participation, prompting further clinical evaluation for appropriate intervention.

Authors/Disclosures
Sonalee Agarwal, PhD (Biogen Idec) PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Jumaah Johnson, DPT (Health Interactions)	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Sakhina Begum-Haque, PhD (Dartmouth Med School)	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Tjalf Ziemssen, MD, FAAN (University Clinic Dresden)	Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche. Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for BMS . Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Merck. Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Roche. Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis. Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Merck. Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Sanofi. Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for TEVA. Dr. Ziemssen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an officer or member of the Board of Directors for Dresden Internation University. The institution of Dr. Ziemssen has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Dr. Ziemssen has received research support from Merck. The institution of Dr. Ziemssen has received research support from Sanofi. The institution of Dr. Ziemssen has received research support from BMS. The institution of Dr. Ziemssen has received research support from Roche.

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