Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41481584›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Consensus on recommended evaluation tools in multiple sclerosis (CORE-MS): A Delphi study protocol on balance and gait assessment.

Rebecca Cardini, Elisa Gervasoni, Marco Germanotta, Irene Giovanna Aprile, Francesca Cecchi, Chiara Pedrini, Massimiliano Gobbo, Joel Pollet, Rosa Pullara, Maria Pia Amato and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Rebecca CardiniIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4091-5611
Elisa GervasoniIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy.
Marco GermanottaIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0747-831X
Irene Giovanna AprileIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.
Francesca CecchiIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.
Chiara PedriniIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.
Massimiliano GobboIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1383-6213
Joel PolletIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1568-9069
Rosa PullaraIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1008-177X
Maria Pia AmatoIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.
Guido PasquiniIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1811-102X
Filippo GerliIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.
Davide CattaneoIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesGait and balance impairments are common and disabling in People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS), significantly affecting mobility and quality of life. Although several clinical and instrumental tools exist to assess these functions, there is no consensus on the most appropriate measures for detecting changes at the clinical, movement quality, and neural levels. This study aims to establish expert consensus on the most appropriate tools for assessing gait and balance in PwMS to support an individualized approach to rehabilitation.

methodsThe process will begin with a focus group to gather initial feedback from a few experts, followed by a Delphi study consisting of iterative rounds of anonymous surveys with international experts to reach consensus on the most appropriate tools. The Delphi process will be conducted using an electronic platform to ensure anonymity and international participation. Experts will evaluate the proposed tools over several rounds until consensus is reached. The consensus threshold will be predefined, and statistical measures of agreement will guide the analysis. DISCUSSION AND

conclusionBy identifying a core set of outcome measures covering clinical, movement quality, and neural aspects, this study aims to address the current fragmentation in clinical practice and research in PwMS. This comprehensive approach will improve the assessment of gait and balance and facilitate the design of tailored rehabilitation interventions that meet the specific needs and recovery potential of each patient. In addition, the study will establish a consensus-based framework for gait and balance assessment in MS rehabilitation, promoting consistency across clinical and research settings. The results are expected to inform future studies on patient stratification, treatment effectiveness, and precision rehabilitation strategies, ultimately leading to improved functional outcomes and quality of care.

Indexed as

GaitMultiple SclerosisPostural BalanceConsensus Statements as TopicDelphi TechniqueHumansQuality of Life

Identifiers

PMID41481584
PMCPMC12758702

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.