Cone Evasion Walk Test in Multiple Sclerosis

This cross-sectional methodological study aims to examine the test-retest reliability, intrasession reliability, and construct validity of the Cone Evasion Walk (CEW) Test in individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The CEW test is a performance-based clinical assessment that evaluates dynamic balance, obstacle avoidance, and fall risk by quantifying the number of cones contacted during a standardized walking task. Although the psychometric properties of the CEW test have been established in populations including stroke survivors, patients with knee osteoarthritis, and patients with hip osteoarthritis, no study has yet investigated its measurement properties in individuals with MS. Given the multifaceted nature of gait and balance impairments in MS - encompassing motor, sensory, cognitive, and visuospatial deficits - the CEW test may serve as a clinically meaningful and ecologically valid tool in this population. Participants will be recruited from the Department of Neurology at Erciyes University Hospital and will undergo the CEW test along with a comprehensive battery of established mobility and balance outcome measures.