Self-report versus performance measure in gauging level of function with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating, progressive disease with no known cure. Symptoms vary widely for persons with MS and measuring levels of fine motor, gross motor and cognitive function is a large part of assessing disease progression in both clinical and research settings. While self-report measures of function have advantages in cost and ease of administration, questions remain about the accuracy of such measures and the relationship of self-reports of functioning to performance measures of function. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare scores on a self-report measure of functional limitations with MS with a performance-based measure at five different time points. Methods Sixty participants in an ongoing longitudinal study completed two measures of function annually over a five-year period – the self-report Incapacity Status Scale and the MS Functional Composite (MSFC), a performance test. Pearson correlations were used to explore the association of self-report and performance scores. Results There were moderate to strong correlations among the ISS total ( r = −.53 to −.63, p