Validity and Reliability of Timed Up and Go Test in Dual-Task Conditions for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

March 4, 2026 updated by: Hakan Polat, Sanko University

Validity and Reliability of Timed Up and Go Test in Dual-Task Conditions in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

his study aims to examine the validity and reliability of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) under dual-task conditions, where participants perform both a motor and a cognitive task at the same time. MS affects movement, balance, and cognitive functions, which can lead to difficulties in walking and increased risk of falls.

In this study, volunteers with MS will be asked to perform the TUG test in different conditions:

Single-task TUG: walking, standing up, and sitting down without additional tasks.

Cognitive dual-task TUG: performing TUG while doing a cognitive task, such as counting backwards or word generation.

Motor dual-task TUG: performing TUG while carrying a small object on a tray.

Participants' demographic and clinical information will be recorded, and tests will be repeated to evaluate the reliability of the measurements. The results will help determine if the TUG test can reliably assess both motor and cognitive performance in MS patients.

The study is observational, and no experimental treatment will be given. Participation involves only performing tests and answering questions, taking approximately 25-30 minutes per session. All collected data will be kept confidential.

Study Overview

Status

Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Detailed Description

This study investigates the validity and reliability of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test under dual-task conditions in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic neurological disease that affects motor and cognitive functions, often leading to walking difficulties, balance problems, and increased risk of falls.

Volunteers with MS will be recruited from the Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at SANKO University. Eligible participants will perform the TUG test in three conditions:

Single-task TUG: normal TUG without additional tasks.

Cognitive dual-task TUG (kSKYT): performing TUG while counting backwards in threes or generating words starting with a specific letter.

Motor dual-task TUG (mSKYT): performing TUG while carrying a small ball on a tray.

Participants' demographic and clinical data, including age, sex, height, weight, MS duration, EDSS score, and history of falls, will be recorded. TUG tests will be conducted by two physiotherapists and repeated after one week to assess test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability.

Convergent validity will be evaluated by comparing dual-task TUG results with single-task TUG, 25-step walking test, Mini-BESTest, and a dual-task questionnaire. Known-groups validity will be assessed by comparing results between MS patients who have fallen and those who have not.

All data will be coded and stored confidentially. The study is observational, with no experimental interventions, and each assessment session will take approximately 25-30 minutes.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Gaziantep
      • Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey (Türkiye), 27090
        • Sanko Unıversıty

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

multiple sclerosis

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
  • Age 18 years or older.
  • EDSS score low to moderate (able to walk without assistive devices).
  • Willing to provide informed consent.
  • Able to perform Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe cognitive impairment preventing understanding of instructions.
  • Recent MS relapse (within the past 30 days).
  • Use of walking aids that interfere with TUG test performance.
  • Other neurological or musculoskeletal conditions affecting walking or balance.
  • Any condition that makes participation unsafe, according to the investigato

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Multiple Sclerosis Patients Observed for Dual-Task TUG Test
This cohort includes volunteers diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who will participate in observational assessments of functional mobility using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test under single-task and dual-task conditions. No experimental interventions will be applied. Participants will perform cognitive and motor dual-tasks simultaneously with the TUG test to evaluate walking, balance, and functional mobility. Demographic and clinical data, including age, sex, MS duration, EDSS score, and fall history, will be recorded. The cohort will be assessed by trained physiotherapists to determine test-retest and inter-rater reliability, as well as validity of the dual-task TUG test.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sit-to-Stand and Walk Test (SKYT)
Time Frame: 1 week
SKYT is a test that assesses an individual's functional mobility, balance, and walking performance, including sitting, standing up, walking, turning, and sitting back down. The participant is asked to walk 3 metres and
1 week
Dual-task SKYT tests
Time Frame: one weeks
Dual-task SKYT tests will consist of three different dual-task SKYT tests: two cognitive dual-task SKYT tests (cSKYT) and one motor dual-task SKYT test (mSKYT). The cognitive task parameters of the cSKYT will be numerical processing
one weeks
The 25-step walk test (S25AYT)
Time Frame: one weeks
This is a standardised test used to assess walking speed and functional mobility in MS patients, performed by walking a distance of 7.62 metres as quickly and safely as possible. The test has been reported to have high rel
one weeks
Dual-task questionnaire
Time Frame: one weeks
The questionnaire was originally developed to assess individuals with neurological injury or disease and is used to evaluate the frequency of difficulties experienced in daily activities involving dual tasks. The questionnaire consists of 10 items, and each question is rated on a 5-point scale (0 = 'never' to 4 = 'very often' or N/A = 'not applicable'). The resulting score is the average score per question (questionnaire score = total questionnaire score/10). Its validity and reliability in the Turkish MS population have been demonstrated.
one weeks
Mini-BESTest
Time Frame: one weeks
A test frequently used in neurological disease populations that assesses the dynamic components of balance control. Participants are asked to perform various balance tasks (e.g., postural responses, sensorimotor strategies, dynamic walking). Studies conducted in MS patients have demonstrated that the Mini-BESTest has high reliability and validity in the Turkish neurological population, including MS.
one weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sanko University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 4, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 4, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 4, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • hakanpolat16

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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