Italian validation of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ)

Background: The Arm function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ) has been developed as a self-reported measure of arm and hand functioning for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The AMSQ was originally developed in Dutch and to date translated into five languages (i.e. English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian). Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate differential item functioning (DIF) of the AMSQ in these languages. Methods: We performed DIF analyses, using “language” as the polytomous group variable. To detect DIF, logistic regression and item response theory principles were applied. Multiple logistic regression models were evaluated. We used a pseudo R2 value of 0.02 or more as the DIF threshold. Results: A total of 1733 male and female patients with all subtypes of MS were included. The DIF analysis for the whole dataset showed no uniform or non-uniform DIF on any of the 31 items. All R2 values were below 0.02. Conclusion: The AMSQ is validated in six languages. All items have the same meaning to MS patients in Dutch, English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian. This validation study enables use of the AMSQ in international studies, for monitoring treatment response and disease progression.

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Sustained-released fampridine in multiple sclerosis: effects on gait parameters, arm function, fatigue, and quality of life

Journal of Neurology ◽

10.1007/s00415-015-7797-1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 262 (8) ◽

pp. 1936-1945 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Etienne Allart ◽

Anne Benoit ◽

Anne Blanchard-Dauphin ◽

Vincent Tiffreau ◽

André Thevenon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Arm Function

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Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire

PsycTESTS Dataset ◽

10.1037/t60195-000 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Lidwine B. Mokkink ◽

Dirk L. Knol ◽

Femke H. van der Linden ◽

Judith M. Sonder ◽

Marie D’hooghe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Arm Function

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The Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire was successfully translated to German

Journal of Hand Therapy ◽

10.1016/j.jht.2017.09.010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 137-140.e1 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Saskia Steinheimer ◽

Moritz Wendel ◽

Tim Vanbellingen ◽

Laurens T. Westers ◽

Julius Hodak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Arm Function

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Minimal clinically important difference of improvement on the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ)

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458518823489 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 505-508 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Caspar EP van Munster ◽

Levent Kaya ◽

Morgan Obura ◽

Nynke F Kalkers ◽

Bernard MJ Uitdehaag

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Roc Curve ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Minimal Clinically Important Difference ◽

Threshold Value ◽

Clinically Important Difference ◽

Upper Extremity Function ◽

Arm Function

Background: The Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ) has been developed to assess upper extremity function of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) value has not been determined yet. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine an MCID for AMSQ. Methods: We used the sensitivity- and specificity-based approach with dichotomized global perceived effect as an anchor. Results: The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve yielded an optimal threshold value of 14.5 (sensitivity 0.68 and specificity 0.79). The area under the ROC curve value was 0.77. Conclusion: We identified an MCID of 15 points for the AMSQ (range 31–186).

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Development of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire-Short Form (AMSQ-SF): A static 10-item version

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458518808197 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (14) ◽

pp. 1892-1901 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michiel AJ Luijten ◽

Iris Eekhout ◽

Marie D’Hooghe ◽

Bernard MJ Uitdehaag ◽

Lidwine B Mokkink

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Short Form ◽

Hand Function ◽

Patient Reported Outcome ◽

Full Length ◽

Optimal Test ◽

Computerized Adaptive Test ◽

Graded Response ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Arm Function

Background: Assessing arm and hand function of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is important as impaired functioning may impact daily activities and reduce quality of life. Objective: A short-form of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ), a recently developed patient-reported outcome measure containing 31 items, is developed to allow non-adaptive application. Methods: Complete data from 690 patients with MS, recruited via outpatient clinics, a residential center or via a Dutch website aimed at MS patients, were included in the analyses. A graded response model was fit to these data to estimate item response theory (IRT) parameters, which were used to perform post hoc computerized adaptive test (CAT) simulations with a cutoff standard error of measurement (SEM) of 0.32. The optimal test length was determined by the correlation between the static short-form and full-length theta, the mean SEM, and the amount of patients reaching a satisfactory SEM in CAT simulations. Results and Conclusion: Based on five selection criteria (i.e. discrimination parameters, total information, times selected in CAT simulations, raw item means, and item content), 10 items were selected for inclusion in the short-form. The score on the final 10-item short-form correlated strongly with the full-length AMSQ and provided reliable ability estimations, indicating its usefulness instrument in research and clinical settings.

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Validity and reliability of Persian version of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/03080226211008710 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 030802262110087

Author(s):

Sara Afshar ◽

Nazila Akbarfahimi ◽

Mehdi Rassafiani ◽

Mohsen Vahedi ◽

Mojtaba Azimian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Functional Independence Measure ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Self Report ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Persian Version ◽

Arm Function ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Introduction This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire which is a self-report questionnaire for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method This methodological study was performed in the following stages: translation, validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability of Persian-AMSQ. The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Coin Rotation Task (CRT), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) for construct validity were used. Psychometric testing was done to ascertain the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Results In this study, 155 people with MS participated. There were no major linguistic or cultural difficulties in the translation of AMSQ. Face and content validity confirmed by experts and people with MS. The internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.99). Test–retest reliability, as measured with intra-class coefficient, was 0.98. Correlations with 9HPT (r = 0.54), CRT (r = 0.16), and FIM (r = −0.54) were significant ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The Persian-AMSQ appears to be a valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring upper extremity dysfunction in MS.

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Robot-Assisted Upper Limb Training for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: An Evidence-Based Review of Clinical Applications and Effectiveness

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app12010222 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 222

Author(s):

Sofia Straudi ◽

Marco Tramontano ◽

Emanuele Francesco Russo ◽

Luca Perrero ◽

Michela Agostini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Manual Dexterity ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Robot Assisted ◽

Robotic Assisted ◽

Study Results ◽

Arm Function

Upper extremities limitation is a common functional impairment in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Novel technological devices are increasingly used in neurorehabilitation to support motor function improvement and the quantitative assessment of motor performance during training in patients with neurological diseases. In this review, we systematically report the evidence on clinical applications and robotic-assisted arm training (RAT) in functional recovery in PwMS. PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) databases were systematically searched from inception to March 2021. The 10-item PEDro scale assessed the study quality for the RCT, and the AMSTAR-2 was used to assess the quality of the systematic review. The 5-item Oxford CEBM scale was used to rate the level of evidence. A total of 10 studies (161 subjects) were included. The selected studies included one systematic review, four RCTs, one randomized crossover, and four case series. The RCTs were scored as high-quality studies, while the systematic review was determined to be of low quality. Shoulder range of motion, handgrip strength, and proximal arm impairment improved after RAT. Manual dexterity, arm function, and use in daily life also ameliorated arm function. The high clinical heterogeneity of treatment programs and the variety of robot devices affects the generalizability of the study results; therefore, we emphasize the need to standardize the intervention type in future studies that evaluate the role of robotic-assisted training in PwMS. Robot-assisted treatment seems safe and useful to increase manual dexterity and the quality of movement execution in PwMS with moderate to severe disability. Additional studies with an adequate sample size and methodological rigour are warranted to drive definite conclusions.

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