Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 2, 2025

Acupoint Application as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Fatigue Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
04:24

Acupoint Application as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Fatigue Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: September 5, 2025

566

Validation of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory with Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Julija Gecaite-Stonciene1, Adomas Bunevicius1, Julius Burkauskas1

  • 1Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 2100 Palanga, Lithuania.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|November 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) was psychometrically evaluated in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. A 16-item version (MFI-16) demonstrated good psychometric properties, except for the reduced motivation subscale.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychometrics
  • Health Psychology

Background:

  • Fatigue is a prevalent and distressing symptom in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) is a widely used tool for measuring fatigue.
  • Previous studies have reported inconsistencies in the multidimensional structure of the MFI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To psychometrically evaluate the Lithuanian version of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) in patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To assess the factorial structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the MFI in a CAD patient population.

Main Methods:

  • 1162 patients with CAD completed the MFI-20, alongside measures for mental distress (HADS, STAI), quality of life (SF-36), and exercise capacity (EC).
  • Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to test the MFI's factor structure.
  • Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and correlations were examined to determine convergent validity.

Main Results:

  • The initial four-factor model of the MFI-20 showed acceptable fit, which improved after removing four items, resulting in the MFI-16.
  • The MFI-16 demonstrated adequate internal consistency for the total score and subscales (General fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, mental fatigue), with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.60-0.82.
  • The reduced motivation subscale exhibited inadequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.43) in both MFI-20 and MFI-16. Statistically significant correlations were found between MFI-16 and other measures (all p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • The Lithuanian version of the MFI, modified to 16 items (MFI-16), exhibits a good factorial structure and satisfactory psychometric characteristics for assessing fatigue in CAD patients.
  • The reduced motivation subscale of the MFI-16 should be interpreted with caution due to its inadequate internal consistency.
  • The MFI-16 is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring multidimensional fatigue in Lithuanian CAD patients, supporting its use in clinical and research settings.
Abstract

Keywords:
coronary artery diseasefatiguemental exertionmultidimensional fatigue inventoryphysical performancepsychometric propertiesrehabilitationreliability and validity

More Related Videos

Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer07:22

Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer

Published on: February 20, 2020

6.1K
Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue08:56

Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue

Published on: May 17, 2018

9.4K

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data01:23

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data

A thorough health history and physical assessment are essential for identifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) symptoms and distinguishing them from other health issues.
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
629
Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment01:29

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment

Angina manifests as chest pain, tightness, or squeezing discomfort typically located behind the breastbone. It can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and inner aspects of the upper arms, most commonly the left arm. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, profuse sweating, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, palpitations, anxiety, and vomiting as accompanying symptoms. This pain often lasts a few minutes and is triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, heavy meals, or cold...
109
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
200
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
114
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
497
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
200