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Published on: June 30, 2014
Confirmation and extension of the validity of the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12)
1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. robmotl@uiuc.edu
Objective:
The Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12) is a 12-item patient-rated measure of the impact of MS on walking. As validation of scores from a measure is an ongoing and evolving process, the provision of additional evidence is warranted that confirms and extends the validity of inferences from scores on the MSWS-12.
Method:
Participants (N=133) were recruited through support group meetings of the Greater Illinois and Indiana State Chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and wore an accelerometer for a seven-day period and completed the MSWS-12 and other outcome measures.
Results:
Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a single-factor model provided an adequate fit for MSWS-12 scores. MSWS-12 scores demonstrated strong evidence of internal consistency. The correlations between MSWS-12 scores with scores from other scales, including an accelerometer, were consistent with our a priori hypotheses.
Conclusion:
We provide evidence that both confirms and extends the validity of inferences from scores of the MSWS-12 as a measure of the impact of MS on walking in a community-based sample of individuals with MS.
