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Psychometric evaluation of the multiple sclerosis impact scale (MSIS-29) for proxy use.
F A H van der Linden1, J J Kragt, M Klein
1Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. fah.vdlinden@vumc.nl
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|November 18, 2005
Summary
The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) is reliable for use by proxies of multiple sclerosis patients. This evaluation confirms its validity for proxy reporting when patient self-assessment is challenging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Self-report measures can be unreliable in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with cognitive or mood impairments.
- Proxy reporting offers a valuable alternative for assessing patient status in such cases.
- Questionnaires require validation for proxy use before implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the psychometric properties of the 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) when completed by proxies for MS patients.
- To determine if the MSIS-29 is a valid and reliable tool for proxy-based assessment in multiple sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- 62 partners of MS patients completed the MSIS-29.
- Data were analyzed for psychometric criteria including data quality, scaling assumptions, acceptability, reliability, validity, and responsiveness.
Main Results:
- The MSIS-29 demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in the proxy sample.
- High data quality, good scaling assumptions, and acceptability were observed.
- Reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha > 0.80), consistent with patient sample findings.
Conclusions:
- The MSIS-29 is a reliable instrument for proxy use in multiple sclerosis.
- Future research should investigate patient-proxy agreement and factors influencing discrepancies.