Associations of Upper Limb Disability Measures on Different Levels of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Background. It is unknown how impairments caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) affect upper limb capacity, performance, and community integration. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which impair-ments explained the variance in activity level and participation levelmeasures of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the extent to which upper limb capacity measures explained perceived performance on the activity level in people with MS and different dexterity levels. Design. This was a cross-sectional study. Methods. A total of 105 people with MS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale 6.5) were assessed with measures on the ICF body functions and structures level (strength, active range of motion of the wrist, tactile sensitivity, tremor, spasticity, and pain), activity level (Nine-Hole Peg Test [NHPT], Action Research Arm Test, and Manual Ability Measure-36 [MAM-36]), and participation level (Community Integra-tion Questionnaire). The sample was divided into low- and high-dexterity subgroups on the basis of the median score on the NHPT