BCTRIMS 2023

Abstract General Information


Title

IS THE MODIFIED FATIGUE IMPACT SCALE APPLIED BY TELEPHONE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS VALID AND RELIABLE? An investigation of measurement properties

Abstract

Introduction: Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly have fatigue. It is necessary to understand the perceived impacts of fatigue on the daily lives of these individuals. Going to a clinic can limit the assessment process, and the telephone can be an alternative.

Objective: To investigate the concurrent criterion validity and test-retest reliability of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) administered by telephone to individuals with MS.

Methods: This is a methodological study (CAAE 57417322.8.0000.5134). Individuals (age ≥18 years) and diagnosis of MS confirmed by a neurologist were recruited. The MFIS, comprising three domains, was administered face-to-face and by telephone to establish concurrent criterion validity. After 5-7 days, the MFIS was performed a second time over the telephone to investigate test-retest reliability. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used.

Results: 30 individuals (40.5±10.6 years) were included, most of them female (n=20, 66.7%) with a median score on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 2.0±4.0. Between face-to-face and telephone application, a significant (p<0.001) and high-magnitude correlation was found for the total score (ICC=0.87, 95%CI=0.75-0.93), physical domain (ICC=0.85, CI95%=0.72-0.93), cognitive (ICC=0.88, CI95%=0.76-0.94) and psychosocial (ICC=0.70, CI95%=0.46- 0.84). Between telephone applications, a significant correlation (p<0.001) of very high magnitude was found for the total score (ICC=0.97, 95%CI=0.95-0.98), physical domain (ICC=0, 96, CI95%=0.92-0.98), cognitive (ICC=0.96, CI95%=0.93-0.98) and psychosocial (ICC=0.91, CI95%=0.83-0.96).

Conclusion: The MFIS applied by telephone showed adequate validity and reliability to assess the perception of the impact of fatigue in individuals with MS.

Area

Multidisciplinary care

Authors

Vitória Eduarda Alves Jesus, Mariana Conceição Rodrigues Ribeiro, Sthéfany Garcia Azevedo, Flavia Cardoso Schaper, Raquel Carvalho Lana, Rodrigo Gonçalves Vieira Kleinpaul, Juliana Machado Santos Santiago-Amaral, Larissa Tavares Aguiar