Beyond conventional mobility tests: Validity and reliability of the dubousset functional test in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, leading to impairments in balance, mobility, and functional performance. Current clinical assessments predominantly evaluate isolated aspects of motor function and often fail to capture the integrated motor-cognitive demands of real-life activities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity and reliability of the Dubousset Functional Test (DFT) in individuals with MS. METHODS: This cross-sectional methodological study included 33 individuals with MS (mean age: 36.67 ± 9.17 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] ≤3.5). Test-retest reliability of the DFT was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change at the 95% confidence level (MDC95). Construct validity was evaluated by examining correlations between DFT components and established clinical measures, including the Timed Up and Go (TUG), dual-task TUG, Functional Reach Test (FRT), 3-Meter Backward Walk Test (3MBWT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). RESULTS: The DFT demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, with ICC values ranging from 0.993 to 0.996. SEM values ranged from 0.135 to 0.178, and MDC95 values ranged from 0.373 to 0.494, indicating high measurement precision. Significant correlations were observed between DFT components and TUG (r = 0.722-0.917, p < 0.001), dual-task TUG (p < 0.001), and 3MBWT (r = 0.708-0.911, p < 0.001), along with moderate negative correlations with BBS (r = -0.357 to -0.553, p < 0.05), supporting strong construct validity. CONCLUSION: The DFT is a valid, reliable, and clinically practical tool for assessing functional performance in individuals with MS. Its ability to capture performance under both motor and cognitive demands provides added clinical value beyond conventional assessments and may support more comprehensive evaluation and monitoring in neurological rehabilitation.