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Updated: May 15, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Validation of a new quality of life scale related to multiple sclerosis and relapses
Antoine Baroin1, Gilles Chopard, Gaye Siliman
1Department of Neurology, Besançon University Hospital, Bvd Fleming, 25030, Besançon Cedex, France, abaroin@univ-fcomte.fr.
Purpose:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a significant impact on all aspects of patient quality of life (QoL). Furthermore, the fear of relapses and the feelings of patients during relapses must be taken into account in care. The objective of this work was to validate the PERSEPP scale ("PERception de la Sclérose En Plaques et de ses Poussées"), a new QoL evaluation scale for relapsing-remitting forms of MS.
Methods:
Relapsing-remitting patients were included in a multicenter study. Various validation criteria of this scale were analyzed: acceptability, construct validity (internal and external validity), and reliability (internal consistency and reproducibility test-retest). Responsiveness will be studied in order to complete the validation process.
Results:
The responses of 305 MS patients were analyzed. The process of reducing the items led us to retain 66 items of a total of 112 items. The 66-item PERSEPP scale (final version) was well accepted. Five dimensions (33 items) make up the scale: social support (α = 0.81), relationship difficulties (α = 0.71), fatigue (α = 0.74), state of mind and associated sleep disorders (α = 0.78), and time perspective (α = 0.75). Three additional modules (33 items) explore coping (α = 0.60), symptoms (α = 0.89), and treatment (α = 0.92). Test-retest reliability, measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), was acceptable (0.72 < ICC < 0.92).
Conclusions:
The PERSEPP scale has been validated and could be used in clinical trials and in daily practice. Additional studies will then complete the validation process.
Insights
The PERSEPP scale effectively measures quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with relapsing-remitting forms. This validated tool assesses social support, fatigue, and coping, aiding clinical trials and daily care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts patient quality of life (QoL).
- Fear of relapses and patient experiences during relapses are critical care considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the PERSEPP scale (PERception de la Sclérose En Plaques et de ses Poussées) for evaluating QoL in relapsing-remitting MS.
- To establish the psychometric properties of the PERSEPP scale.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter study involving patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
- Validation criteria included acceptability, construct validity, and reliability (internal consistency, test-retest).
- Analysis of 305 patient responses to refine the scale from 112 to 66 items.
Main Results:
- The 66-item PERSEPP scale demonstrated good acceptability.
- Five core dimensions (social support, relationship difficulties, fatigue, state of mind/sleep, time perspective) and three modules (coping, symptoms, treatment) were identified.
- Reliability was confirmed with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.60 to 0.92) and test-retest reliability (ICC between 0.72 and 0.92).
Conclusions:
- The PERSEPP scale is validated for assessing QoL in relapsing-remitting MS.
- The scale is suitable for use in clinical trials and routine clinical practice.
- Further studies are planned to complete the validation process.
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01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
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