Self-Reported Handicap and Pain in Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the London Handicap Scale and Disability Status in a Slovak Neurorehabilitation Cohort
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background/Objectives: Handicap (participation restriction) and pain are clinically important but under-investigated outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the London Handicap Scale (LHS) and pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) in relation to disability and other clinical variables. Methods: This secondary, cross-sectional, non-interventional analysis included 65 Slovak patients with MS (study group, SG, n = 32, designated for a 12-week neurorehabilitation program; control group, CG, n = 33, waitlisted), all assessed before rehabilitation. Associations were tested with Spearman correlation (Benjamini–Hochberg-adjusted) and linear regression; groups were compared with the Mann–Whitney test. Results: Disability (EDSS) correlated with LHS (ρ = −0.667) and VAS pain (ρ = 0.457; both p < 0.001), although SF-36 measures correlated more strongly. In adjusted models, EDSS was the only significant predictor, explaining 44.1% of the variance in LHS and 21.1% in VAS pain. LHS and VAS pain did not differ between SG and CG (p = 0.936 and p = 0.770) but differed across EDSS severity subgroups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007). Conclusions: EDSS is a significant but partial correlate of handicap and pain, supporting their assessment alongside disability staging. The baseline group comparison is descriptive and provides no evidence about the effects of neurorehabilitation.
Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine
DOI: 10.3390/jcm15218735
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7225661104