Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test: Patients Express High Satisfaction with the Application (P3.140)

OBJECTIVE: To determine patient satisfaction with the Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT). BACKGROUND: The MSPT is an iPad-based neuroperformance assessment tool that was designed to simulate the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC). The MSTP has the potential to provide reliable MS-specific neuroperformance data at lower cost, at more frequent intervals, in the patient’s home environment. Knowledge of patients’ opinions about the usability of the application during in-center testing can provide insight into patients’ acceptance of using this application in the home setting. DESIGN/METHODS: A usability questionnaire regarding the MSPT app was administered to 51 MS patients representing a range of MS severity and 40 age and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) who completed the cross-sectional validation phase of this app’s development. RESULTS: The majority of study participants agreed it was easy to read the applications in the iPad screen (MS=96 % agreed or strongly agreed, HC= 100% agreed or strongly agreed; p=NS). While both groups found the recorded instructions on the MSPT easy to understand, the HC rated this higher (MS= 82.4%strongly agreed, HC= 100% strongly agreed; p=0.02). Both groups reported completing the tests on the touch screen was easy, (MS=98 % agreed/strongly agreed, HC= 95 % agreed/strongly agreed; p=NS). Neither group found it difficult to wear the iPad during the walking and balance tests (MS=90.2 % strongly disagreed/ somewhat disagreed, HC= 97.5 % strongly disagreed/somewhat disagreed; p=NS). While neither group found completing the MSPT fatiguing, HC found it less so (MS=70.6% strongly disagreed/somewhat disagreed, HC= 92.5 % strongly disagreed/somewhat disagreed; p=0.004.) CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported that they found the MSPT to be highly useable. HCs found instructions somewhat easier to understand and less fatiguing than MS patients. These data suggest that the MSPT will be acceptable to patients as a method to quantify MS-related disability. Disclosure: Dr. Miller has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Quality of Life Research. Dr. Miller has received research support from Novartis. Dr. Lee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bethoux has received personal compensation for activities with Acorda Therapeutics, Biogen Idec, Merz Pharma, Medtronic Inc., and Allergan, Inc. Dr. Bethoux has received research support from Acorda Therapeutics, Innovative Neurotronics, and Medtronic Inc. Dr. Rao has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis, Biogen Idec, and Genzyme Corp. Dr. Rao has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the American Psychological Association. Dr. Rao has received research support from Biogen Idec and Novartis. Dr. Alberts has received personal compensation for activities with Boston Scientific Corporation, Juniper Health Systems, and I1 Biometrics. Dr. Alberts has received research support from the National Institutes of Health, and the National Football League Players Association. Dr. Schindler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stough has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reece has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rudick has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis and Genzyme Corporation. Dr. Rudick has received license fee payments from a patent. Dr. Rudick has received research support from Genzyme Corporation and Novartis.