Balance Intensity Tool for Exercise (BITE) in People with Multiple Sclerosis
A study involving 61 people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) assessed the Balance Intensity Tool for Exercise (BITE) comparing it to clinical judgment. BITE showed lower intensity scores for balance tasks than clinical evaluations. It also exhibited excellent reliability and narrow ranges of agreement compared to clinical judgment, with similar correlation to overall balance performance as assessed by Mini-BESTest.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Limited
- Outcome
- Positive
Why it matters
BITE provides a quantifiable method to evaluate balance intensity in PwMS, which could improve management of balance-related issues. Its higher reliability compared to clinical judgment suggests it may be a more objective tool for balance assessment.
What this does not prove
The findings do not confirm BITE's effectiveness across diverse populations with balance impairments. Further research is needed to explore its applicability to different groups.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Laboratory
- Participants / samples
- 61 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- No
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-31
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS)
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceClinical approach to balance intensity in people with multiple sclerosis: clinical judgment versus the Balance Intensity Tool for Exercise - an inter-rater agreement and reliability study. ↗DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2026.2755867
Supporting passages (11)
study phaseBITE demonstrated excellent inter‑rater reliability (ICC2,1 > 0.9).
study designMETHODS: Sixty-one PwMS, recruited from physiotherapy clinics and social networks, performed two balance tasks: line-walking and tandem-stance.
subjectsThis study introduces and evaluates the Balance Intensity Tool for Exercise (BITE), a standardized method for assessment of balance intensity based on observable errors, and compares it with traditional clinical judgment.
sample sizeMETHODS: Sixty-one PwMS, recruited from physiotherapy clinics and social networks, performed two balance tasks: line-walking and tandem-stance.
randomizedThis study introduces and evaluates the Balance Intensity Tool for Exercise (BITE), a standardized method for assessment of balance intensity based on observable errors, and compares it with traditional clinical judgment.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
populationThis study introduces and evaluates the Balance Intensity Tool for Exercise (BITE), a standardized method for assessment of balance intensity based on observable errors, and compares it with traditional clinical judgment.
outcomeCONCLUSION: BITE provides a quantifiable method to describe balance exercise intensity in PwMS based on the time of observed performance errors.
findingsRESULTS: Intensities measured by BITE were consistently lower than clinical judgment (line-walking median: 36% vs. 74%; tandem-stance median: 23% vs. 53%). BITE demonstrated excellent inter‑rater reliability (ICC2,1 > 0.9). Narrower pairwise LoA (up to ±20% vs. up to ±36%) and lower SEM (up to 8.3 vs. up to 11.2) were observed when compared to clinical judgment. Both methods demonstrated identical correlations with balance performance as measured by the Mini-BESTest (Spearman's rho: -0.82).
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-31
limitationsTitle: Clinical approach to balance intensity in people with multiple sclerosis: clinical judgment versus the Balance Intensity Tool for Exercise - an inter-rater agreement and reliability study.
AI assessment, not yet reviewed by a person · version 1 · Community votes are separate from evidence review.