Convergence Validity of Smartphone Tests in People with MS
A study examined the validity of smartphone-based tests for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), finding moderate to strong correlations with traditional tests for manual dexterity and mobility. These tests included the Finger Tapping Test (ρ = -0.46/-0.41) and the Performance Sit-to-Stand Test (r5STS, ρ = 0.55), showing sensitivity to disease status and test reliability.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Limited
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
The findings suggest that smartphone tests could provide reliable measures of motor skills in MS patients, potentially enabling easier monitoring of disease progression remotely.
What this does not prove
The study's single-visit design limits the generalizability of these findings, and further validation across multiple settings is needed.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Other
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Yes
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-07-13
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- People with MS (mean age 58.5 ± 11.9 years; mean disease duration 11.82 ± 6.72 years) and control group (mean age 38.56 ± 18.5 years)
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidencePilot Study of Smartphone-Based Neuroperformance Tests in Multiple Sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2025-074
Supporting passages (12)
study designPublication types: Journal Article
subjectsPeople with MS and a control group (CG) without MS performed smartphone tests
controlledRESULTS: The CG (n = 23; mean age, 38.56 ± 18.5 years; 65% female; 74% White) and the MS group (n = 23; mean age, 58.5 ± 11.9 years; 48% female; 83% White; mean disease duration, 11.82 ± 6.72 years) completed tests at a single visit.
primary endpointCONCLUSIONS: The FTT, PST, rTUG, and r5STS performed via smartphone application demonstrate convergent validity with their analogous MSPT tests.
findingsValid taps per second on FTT was moderately correlated with the manual dexterity test (Spearman correlation coefficients, ρ = -0.46 [right] and -0.41 [left]).
findingsTotal number correct on smartphone-administered PST strongly correlated with iPad-administered PST (ρ = 0.78).
findingsrTUG had a strong correlation and r5STS had a moderate correlation with the Timed 25-Foot Walk test (ρ = 0.80 and 0.55, respectively).
findingsEllipse volume and ellipse area, derived from open-eye balance tests, showed sensitivity to disease status (partial η2 = 0.08 and 0.07, respectively) and good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82 and 0.77, respectively).
populationRESULTS: The CG (n = 23; mean age, 38.56 ± 18.5 years; 65% female; 74% White) and the MS group (n = 23; mean age, 58.5 ± 11.9 years; 48% female; 83% White; mean disease duration, 11.82 ± 6.72 years) completed tests at a single visit.
publication datePublication date: 2026-07-13
limitationsTitle: Pilot Study of Smartphone-Based Neuroperformance Tests in Multiple Sclerosis.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
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