Measuring Multiple Sclerosis

This book describes validated outcome measures for multiple sclerosis population internationally. Based on rigorous systematic reviews of about 20.000 scientific articles, the authors present assessment tools for different clinical uses in health sciences following parameters of validity, reliability, and responsiveness. It is important for the development of clinical practice and research that practical and appropriate measures are universally accepted; this would allow comparisons and meta-analysis of high quality randomized controlled trials of people with this ever-increasing injury. This book emphasizes the need for consensus among researchers as to which tool must be studied in depth or adapted to other national contexts, as well as which measurement instrument should be standardized in its use in order to develop universal norms and standards for the performance of people with multiple sclerosis. It will be a practice-oriented tool for rehabilitation professionals and medical doctors as well as a valid and reliable support for researchers to assess comparable clinical trials.