Determining reliable change on the modified fatigue impact scale (5-item version)
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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

A Rat Model of Central Fatigue Using a Modified Multiple Platform Method
Published on: August 14, 2018
Julia Smith1, Amanda S Bruce2, Morgan Glusman1
1University of Missouri-Kansas City, Department of Psychology, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Background:
Fatigue is prevalent in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but little research indicates how to best quantify changes in fatigue over time.
Objective:
Evaluate reliable change on the abbreviated Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5) in MS patients.
Methods:
One-hundred sixty eight MS patients completed the MFIS-5 at baseline and follow-up as part of two larger studies. Test-retest reliability scores and reliable change indices were calculated.
Results:
Differences of 4, 5, 6, and 7 points on the MFIS-5 represent statistically meaningful change at the .70, .80, .90, and .95 confidence intervals, respectively.
Conclusions:
The MFIS-5 can be used to quickly and reliably assess statistically meaningful changes in fatigue among MS patients.
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