Reliability and validity of the glittre activities of daily living test in fully ambulatory multiple sclerosis patients

Background: Evaluation of activities of daily living (ADL) and functional exercise capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is crucial in demonstrating the effectiveness of interventions. Aims: To investigate the reliability and validity of the Glittre ADL Test in pwMS. Methods: Twenty-five pwMS and 26 healthy adults were included in this methodological study. The Glittre ADL Test was applied. Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Index (NEADL) were applied for concurrent validity. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini BESTest), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Scale-54 (MSQoL-54), and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5 STST) were applied for construct validity. The Glittre ADL Test was repeated after 3–6 days for test–retest reliability. Results: The test–retest reliability of the Glittre ADL Test was excellent (ICC = 0.941). There was strong correlation of the Glittre ADL Test with 6MWT (rho = − 0.710, p < 0.001), NEADL (rho = − 0.841, p < 0.001), EDSS, (rho = 0.836, p = < 0.001), Mini BESTest (rho = 0.792, p < 0.001), and 5 STST scores (rho = 0.720, p < 0.001). There was a moderate correlation between the Glittre ADL Test and the physical health sub-item score of the MSQoL-54 (rho = − 0.591, p = 0.002). No correlation was found between the Glittre ADL Test and FSS (rho = 0.348, p = 0.096). There was a difference in the Glittre ADL Test results between the pwMS and the healthy adults (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The Glittre ADL Test has excellent reliability and strong construct and criterion validity for assessing functional exercise capacity and ADL in fully ambulatory pwMS. Trial registration: TRN: NCT04182269