This study further evaluated the convergent and divergent validity of T25FW performance benchmarks based on differences in the physical functioning and emotional well-being scales of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) in a large sample of people with MS.

Cross-sectional data on T25FW, SF-36 physical functioning, and SF-36 emotional well-being were collected during baseline testing from 491 participants with MS enrolled in a large-pragmatic trial. Convergent validity and divergent validity were evaluated by comparing adjusted means of the SF-36 physical functioning and emotional well-being scores across four T25FW performance benchmarks: < 6 seconds, 6-7.99 seconds, ≥8 seconds, and unable to complete.

The SF-36 physical functioning adjusted mean scores were significantly different across the four T25FW performance benchmarks (< 6 seconds: 69.5 [95% CI 65.4 to 73.6]; 6-7.99 seconds: 46.3 [95% CI 41.5 to 51.1]; ≥8 seconds: 22.5 [95% CI 18.2 to 26.9]; Unable to complete: 10.3 [95% CI 1.0 to 19.5]).  The SF-36 emotional well-being adjusted mean scores were similar across the four T25FW performance benchmarks (< 6 seconds: 74.3 [95% CI 70.3 to 78.2]; 6-7.99 seconds: 69.4 [95% CI 64.7 to 74.0];  ≥8 seconds: 68.6 [95% CI 64.5 to 72.8]; Unable to complete: 81.0 [95% CI 72.2 to 89.9]).

T25FW performance benchmarks were associated with different degrees of physical functioning while no association with emotional well-being was observed in participants with MS. Further validation analysis needs to be conducted with other objective measures of walking performance.