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The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Continued validation of the Symptom Inventory in multiple sclerosis
Robert W Motl1, Carolyn E Schwartz, Timothy Vollmer
1University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. robmotl@illinois.edu
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|July 14, 2009
Summary
The Symptom Inventory (SI-S and SI-L) demonstrates strong validity for assessing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. Both forms effectively measure disease impact and disability, supporting their use in clinical MS research.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychometrics
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Accurate assessment of symptoms is crucial for managing multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The Symptom Inventory (SI) exists in short (SI-S) and long (SI-L) forms, but their psychometric properties in MS populations require thorough examination.
- Understanding the validity of these instruments is essential for reliable clinical research and patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the construct, discriminant, and incremental validity of the SI-S and SI-L in individuals diagnosed with MS.
- To compare the performance of the SI-S and SI-L against established measures of disability and functional status in MS.
- To provide evidence supporting the clinical utility of both SI forms for MS research.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 133 individuals with MS completed the SI-L, Performance Scales (PS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), MS Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12), MS Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29), and Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ).
- Participants also wore an accelerometer for 7 days to objectively measure physical activity.
- Statistical analyses, including correlation, discriminant function analysis, and regression analysis, were performed using SPSS version 16.0.
Main Results:
- Strong positive correlations were observed between SI-S and SI-L total and subscale scores, indicating high internal consistency.
- SI-S and SI-L scores showed significant correlations with PS, EDSS, and MSIS-29, supporting construct and convergent validity.
- The SI-S demonstrated superior ability to differentiate between groups with minimal, moderate, and severe disability compared to the SI-L and PS. Both SI forms incrementally explained variance in EDSS, MSWS-12, and MSIS-29 scores beyond PS.
Conclusions:
- The findings validate the use of both the SI-S and SI-L for assessing symptom burden in individuals with MS.
- The SI-S may offer advantages in discriminating between disability levels.
- Both SI forms are suitable for adoption by clinical MS researchers, contributing to robust outcome measurement.
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