Five Times Sit-To-Stand Test for Patients with Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis

Transitioning from a sitting to a standing position is a movement essential for maintaining physical independence and functional mobility, and is necessary for performing many activities in daily life. Lower extremity muscle strength is considered the most critical factor reducing the capacity to perform the sit-to-stand movement. A study concluded that the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand test in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is multifactorial and is associated with walking speed and fatigue. Another study using the same test concluded that lower extremity capacity is reduced compared to healthy controls and is associated with balance, functional mobility, gait, and fatigue.

Pediatric-onset MS, occurring in patients under the age of 18, accounts for approximately 3-10% of all multiple sclerosis cases and is increasingly recognized in many parts of the world. According to our research, no studies have been found that demonstrate the extent of lower extremity involvement in patients with pediatric-onset MS compared to their healthy controls. Our aim is to evaluate the performance of the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand test in patients with pediatric-onset MS, compare it with healthy controls, and examine its relationship with physical activity, exercise capacity, functional mobility, quality of life and fatigue.