Table 1.
Demographic data and baseline characteristics
| Standing frame group (n=71) | Usual care group (n=69) | All (n=140) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, years | 58·5 (51·3–66·4) | 60·1 (54·1–66·0) | 59·6 (52·6–66·2) | |
| Mean EDSS score (SD; range) | 7·3 (0·6; 6·5–8·0) | 7·2 (0·6; 6·5–8·0) | 7·3 (0·6; 6·5–8·0) | |
| 6·5 | 24 (34%) | 18 (26%) | 42 (30%) | |
| 7·0 | 11 (15%) | 17 (25%) | 28 (20%) | |
| 7·5 | 11 (15%) | 16 (23%) | 27 (19%) | |
| 8·0 | 25 (35%) | 18 (26%) | 43 (31%) | |
| Sex | ||||
| Men | 31 (44%) | 19 (28%) | 50 (36%) | |
| Women | 40 (56%) | 50 (72%) | 90 (64%) | |
| Type of multiple sclerosis | ||||
| Primary progressive | 28 (39%) | 16 (23%) | 44 (31%) | |
| Secondary progressive | 43 (61%) | 53 (77%) | 96 (69%) | |
| Most recent relapse | ||||
| >1 year | 62 (87%) | 63 (91%) | 125 (89%) | |
| Within 3 months | 2 (3%) | 2 (3%) | 4 (3%) | |
| Within 6 months | 2 (3%) | 0 | 2 (1%) | |
| Within 12 months | 1 (1%) | 2 (3%) | 3 (2%) | |
| Unknown | 4 (6%) | 2 (3%) | 6 (4%) | |
| Occupation | ||||
| Unemployed | 5 (7%) | 3 (4%) | 8 (6%) | |
| Student | 0 | 1 (1%) | 1 (1%) | |
| Part-time work | 2 (3%) | 7 (10%) | 9 (6%) | |
| Full-time work | 1 (1%) | 1 (1%) | 2 (1%) | |
| Retired due to age | 7 (10%) | 8 (12%) | 15 (11%) | |
| Medically retired | 56 (79%) | 49 (71%) | 105 (75%) | |
| Indoor walking aid | ||||
| One stick | 3 (4%) | 2 (3%) | 5 (4%) | |
| Two sticks | 7 (10%) | 8 (12%) | 15 (11%) | |
| Frame | 27 (38%) | 30 (43%) | 57 (41%) | |
| Wheelchair | 47 (66%) | 48 (70%) | 95 (68%) | |
| Outdoor walking aid | ||||
| One stick | 2 (3%) | 2 (3%) | 4 (3%) | |
| Two sticks | 6 (8%) | 6 (9%) | 12 (9%) | |
| Frame | 11 (15%) | 15 (22%) | 26 (19%) | |
| Wheelchair | 67 (94%) | 64 (93%) | 131 (94%) | |
| Wheelchair use | ||||
| None | 4 (6%) | 4 (6%) | 8 (6%) | |
| Occasionally | 4 (6%) | 3 (4%) | 7 (5%) | |
| Monthly | 2 (3%) | 1 (1%) | 3 (2%) | |
| Weekly | 13 (18%) | 10 (14%) | 23 (16%) | |
| Daily | 48 (68%) | 51 (74%) | 99 (71%) | |
| Medical History | ||||
| None of note | 14 (20%) | 13 (19%) | 27 (19%) | |
| Osteoarthritis | 6 (8%) | 9 (13%) | 15 (11%) | |
| Coronary heart disease or hypertension | 15 (21%) | 9 (13%) | 24 (17%) | |
| Diabetes | 8 (11%) | 1 (1%) | 9 (6%) | |
| COPD | 6 (8%) | 1 (1%) | 7 (5%) | |
| Migraine | 7 (10%) | 5 (7%) | 12 (9%) | |
| Other neurological condition | 4 (6%) | 3 (4%) | 7 (5%) | |
| Depression | 27 (38%) | 30 (43%) | 57 (41%) | |
| Osteoporosis | 5 (7%) | 8 (12%) | 13 (9%) | |
| Other | 25 (35%) | 23 (33%) | 48 (34%) | |
Data are n (%) or median (IQR), unless otherwise specified. EDSS=Expanded Disability Status Scale. COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.