Narrative review discusses jump assessment for multiple sclerosis disability evaluationJump tests offer a new way to track multiple sclerosis disability

Frontiers in Medicine Published May 12, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

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Key Takeaway

Consider jump assessment as a potential functional measure for people with multiple sclerosis.

This narrative review focuses on the application of jump assessment techniques in the context of multiple sclerosis. The scope includes various functional tests such as vertical jump tests on a force plate, countermovement jumps, single-leg CMJ, and the 10-s hop test. These methods are presented as alternatives or complements to traditional clinical tools such as the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The review aims to explore the potential utility of these dynamic measures for capturing disability in this population.

The authors discuss the rationale for incorporating jump assessment into the evaluation of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, the input data does not provide specific sample sizes, follow-up durations, or quantitative results regarding the primary or secondary outcomes. Consequently, the review does not offer definitive numerical evidence regarding the superiority or equivalence of these tests compared to standard scales.

Limitations acknowledged in the source material include the lack of reported safety data, adverse events, or discontinuations. The narrative nature of the review means that causal conclusions cannot be drawn, and the certainty of the findings is constrained by the absence of primary trial data. Clinicians should interpret these qualitative arguments with caution until more robust evidence becomes available.

People with multiple sclerosis often face challenges measuring their progress. Traditional tools like the Expanded Disability Status Scale rely on clinical observations. These methods can be slow or subjective. A recent narrative review looked at jump assessment as an alternative. This involves vertical jump tests on a force plate, countermovement jumps, and single-leg tests. It also includes the 10-second hop test. These actions measure how well a person can move quickly and powerfully. The review compared these jump tests against traditional clinical tools. The goal was to see if these simple movements could track disability more accurately. The study involved people with multiple sclerosis. No specific numbers or patient counts were reported in this review. Safety signals were not reported either. The review did not find adverse events or issues with tolerability. However, the evidence comes from a narrative review. This type of study summarizes existing research rather than testing new data directly. The findings suggest these jump tests are promising. They could offer a faster way to monitor how the disease affects movement. Doctors and patients might find this useful for tracking changes over time. More research is needed to confirm these benefits fully.

What this means for you:

Simple jump tests may help track disability in multiple sclerosis better than traditional tools.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedMay 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Neuromuscular impairments are common in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), often beginning subclinically in early disease stages and contributing to long-term disability. Traditional clinical tools such as the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), however, lack sensitivity for detecting subtle neuromuscular dysfunction. In recent years, jump assessment has emerged as a digital, performance-based approach to evaluate lower-limb neuromuscular function in pwMS. Vertical jump tests on a force plate provide objective, quantifiable markers of strength, coordination, and balance, allowing detection of early motor deficits even in pwMS with minimal disability and enabling functional phenotyping to guide individualized neurorehabilitation strategies. In this narrative review, we summarize current applications and future perspectives of jump assessment in multiple sclerosis and present the structured, adaptive jump protocol which combines countermovement jumps (CMJ), single-leg CMJ (SLCMJ), and the 10-s hop test (10SHT). Overall, jump assessment represents a promising approach for detecting early neuromuscular deficits and improving the long-term care of pwMS.

Narrative review discusses jump assessment for multiple sclerosis disability evaluationJump tests offer a new way to track multiple sclerosis disability

Study Details

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Narrative review discusses jump assessment for multiple sclerosis disability evaluationJump tests offer a new way to track multiple sclerosis disability

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Study Details

Intravenous tenecteplase improves functional outcomes but increases hemorrhage risk in non-large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke

Tenecteplase improves stroke recovery but increases bleeding risk in late treatment window

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

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