scholarly journals Validation of the Brazilian version of the neurological fatigue index for multiple sclerosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 320-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiane Lopes ◽  
Edson Lopes Lavado ◽  
Damacio Ramón Kaimen-Maciel

ABSTRACT The Neurological Fatigue Index for Multiple Sclerosis (NFI-MS) is a new fatigue assessment instrument. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the NFI-MS (NFI-MS/BR). Method Two hundred and forty subjects with MS were recruited for this study. The adaptation of the NFI-MS was performed by translation and back translation methodology. In psychometric analysis was performed the administration of the questionnaires Epworth Sleep Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29, NFI-MS/BR and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index with retest of the NFI-MS/BR after 7 days. Results Reliability was assessed (intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.77 and 0.86), and validity by testing 41 hypotheses about expected correlations between subscales and confirmed 36. The majority of correlations were demonstrated. Conclusion The NFI-MS/BR is a cross-culturally adapted, valid, and reliable instrument for assessing MS fatigue among Brazilian subjects.

2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852096879
Author(s):  
KH Lam ◽  
KA Meijer ◽  
FC Loonstra ◽  
EME Coerver ◽  
J Twose ◽  
...  

Background: Clinical measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) face limitations that may be overcome by utilising smartphone keyboard interactions acquired continuously and remotely during regular typing. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of keystroke dynamics to assess clinical aspects of MS. Methods: In total, 102 MS patients and 24 controls were included in this observational study. Keyboard interactions were obtained with the Neurokeys keyboard app. Eight timing-related keystroke features were assessed for reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs); construct validity by analysing group differences (in fatigue, gadolinium-enhancing lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and patients vs controls); and concurrent validity by correlating with disability measures. Results: Reliability was moderate in two (ICC = 0.601 and 0.742) and good to excellent in the remaining six features (ICC = 0.760–0.965). Patients had significantly higher keystroke latencies than controls. Latency between key presses correlated the highest with Expanded Disability Status Scale ( r = 0.407) and latency between key releases with Nine-Hole Peg Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (ρ = 0.503 and r = −0.553, respectively), ps < 0.001. Conclusion: Keystroke dynamics were reliable, distinguished patients and controls, and were associated with clinical disability measures. Consequently, keystroke dynamics are a promising valid surrogate marker for clinical disability in MS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-265
Author(s):  
Golnoush Mehrabani ◽  
Douglas P. Gross ◽  
Saeideh Aminian ◽  
Patricia J. Manns

Walking is the most common and preferred way for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to be active. Consumer-grade wearable activity monitors may be used as a tool to assist people with MS to track their walking by counting the number of steps. The authors evaluated the validity of Fitbit One activity tracker in individuals with MS by comparing step counts measured over a 7-day period against ActivPAL3TM (AP). Twenty-five ambulatory adults with MS with an average age 51.7 (10.2) years and gait speed 0.98 (0.47) m/s, median Expanded Disability Status Scale 5.5 (2.5–6.5), and 15 years post-MS diagnosis wore Fitbit One (using both waist and ankle placement) and AP for 7 consecutive days. Validity of Fitbit One for measuring step counts against AP was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Bland–Altman plots, and t tests. Regardless of wearing location (waist or ankle), there was good agreement between steps recorded by Fitbit One and AP (ICC: .86 [.82, .90]). The ankle-worn Fitbit measured steps more accurately (ICC: .91 [.81, .95]) than the waist-worn Fitbit (ICC: .81 [.62, .85]) especially in individuals (n = 12) who walked slowly (gait speed = 0.74 m/s). Fitbit One as a user-friendly, inexpensive, consumer-grade activity tracker can accurately record steps in persons with MS in a free-living environment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110170
Author(s):  
Anissa Kalinowski ◽  
Gary Cutter ◽  
Nina Bozinov ◽  
Jessica A Hinman ◽  
Michael Hittle ◽  
...  

Background: The timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) is a key clinical outcome measure in multiple sclerosis patient management and clinical research. Objectives: To evaluate T25FW performance and factors associated with its change in the Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Assessments Consortium (MSOAC) Placebo Database ( n = 2465). Methods: We created confirmed disability progression (CDP) variables for T25FW and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) outcomes. We used intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland Altman plots to evaluate reliability. We evaluated T25FW changes and predictive validity using a mixed-effects model, survival analysis, and nested case–control analysis. Results: The mean baseline score for the T25FW in this study population was 9.2 seconds, median = 6.1 (standard deviation = 11.0, interquartile range (IQR) = 4.8, 9.0). The T25FW measure demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.98). Walk times increased with age, disability, disease type, and disease duration; relapses were not associated with an increase. Patients with T25FW progression had a faster time to EDSS-CDP compared to those without (hazards ratio (HR): 2.6; confidence interval (CI): 2.2, 3.1). Changes in the T25FW were more likely to precede changes in EDSS. Conclusion: This research confirms the association of the T25FW with disability and provides some evidence of predictive validity. Our findings support the continued use of the T25FW in clinical practice and clinical trials.


2007 ◽  
Vol 65 (3a) ◽  
pp. 615-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina R. Araujo ◽  
Luciano M. Simão ◽  
Mariana I. Ybarra ◽  
Natasha V.M.G. Faria ◽  
Caroline M. Botelho ◽  
...  

The Guy's neurological disability scale (GNDS) has recently been introduced as a new measure of disability in multiple sclerosis. It is patient-oriented, multidimensional, and not biased towards any particular disability. The purpose of the present study was to validate the Brazilian version of the GNDS. The adaptation of the scale was based on the translation/back-translation methodology. Sixty-two patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) according to Poser's criteria were recruited for this study. GNDS was administered individually to each subject. The EDSS and the ambulation index (AI) scores were assigned by a neurologist. The intraclass correlation coefficient and the Cronbach's alpha values of the Brazilian version of GNDS (0.94 and 0.83, respectively) were comparable to the original one (0.98 and 0.79, respectively). Furthermore, the factor analysis of the Brazilian version of GNDS suggested, as the original article, a four-factor solution which accounted for 68.8% of the total variance. The Brazilian version of GNDS was found to be clinically relevant as it correlated significantly with the EDSS and AI. In conclusion, the Brazilian version of GNDS can be considered an important tool to evaluate the disability in MS patients, with clinical usefulness and psychometrics soundness.


2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geert Verheyden ◽  
Godelieve Nuyens ◽  
Alice Nieuwboer ◽  
Pol Van Asch ◽  
Piet Ketelaer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Purpose. Standardized scales are a prerequisite for rehabilitation and research. This study was designed to determine the reliability and validity of scores on items of the trunk assessment of the Melsbroek Disability Scoring Test (MDST) and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Subjects. Thirty people with MS participated in the study. Methods. Interrater and test-retest reliability and construct validity were assessed. Results. Kappa and weighted kappa values for the items of the trunk assessment of the MDST ranged from .74 to .95, and the kappa and weighted kappa values for the TIS items ranged from .46 to 1.00. Intraclass correlation coefficients for interrater and test-retest agreement were .93 and .92, respectively, for the trunk assessment of the MDST and .97 and .95, respectively, for the TIS. Bland-Altman analysis showed consistency of scores without observer bias. Construct validity was established. Discussion and Conclusion. The MDST and TIS provide reliable assessments of the trunk and are valid scales for measuring trunk performance in people with MS. [Verheyden G, Nuyens G, Nieuwboer A, et al. Reliability and validity of trunk assessment for people with multiple sclerosis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Bowen ◽  
Laura Gibbons ◽  
Ann Gianas ◽  
George H Kraft

Background: Patient-administered measures are needed to assess disability cost-effectively in large epidemiological studies. Setting: An outpatient clinic in a large multiple sclerosis center. Methods: A self-administered EDSS questionnaire was developed (EDSS-S). Consecutive patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis completed the EDSS-S (n=95). During the same visit, a physician completed an EDSS (EDSS-P). Scores below 4.0 were determined using functional system (FS) scores. Scores above 4.0 were calculated by two methods, using gait alone and using gait and functional system scores combined. Results: EDSS-P scores ranged from 0-9.5 (mean 5.1, median 5.0, 78% female, age 17-78, mean age 45). Mean EDSS-P, EDSS-S and intraclass correlation coefficients of agreement were: EDSS using ambulation alone (4.6, 5.1, 0.89), EDSS using ambulation and FS scores (4.6, 5.3, 0.87), bowel/bladder FS scores (1.6, 1.7, 0.79), pyramidal FS scores (2.1, 2.4, 0.67), sensory FS scores (1.6, 2.1, 0.60), cerebellar FS scores (1.1, 1.6, 0.55), brainstem FS scores (0.5, 1.2, 0.45), vision FS scores (1.9, 1.3, 0.38), cerebral FS scores (0.6, 2.3, 0.27). Conclusions: Very good correlation was seen between patient and physician scores for EDSS and the bowel/bladder FS score. Four other FS scores correlated moderately. In general, patients scored themselves more disabled than physicians.


2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-270
Author(s):  
Eloi Magnin ◽  
Yoshimasa Sagawa ◽  
Thierry Moulin ◽  
Pierre Decavel

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is frequent in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and can impact on activities of daily living. The capacity to differentiate real changes from background statistical noise induced by human, instrumentational, and environmental variations inherent to the evaluation would improve cognitive assessments. Objective: To assess the short-term reproducibility of cognitive tests in non-multiple sclerosis (non-MS) persons and PwMS. Methods: Sixty-two PwMS and 19 non-MS persons performed 2 measurements, 1 week apart, of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and phonological and semantic verbal fluency. Test-retest reliability was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and agreement by standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC). Results: The reliability of the cognitive variables studied had moderate to high ICC values (ICC > 0.8) in both populations. The threshold to consider a significant cognitive modification evaluated by SEM and MDC was lower in PwMS compared with non-MS persons. Conclusions: SDMT and verbal fluency have good short-term reproducibility in PwMS. Specific SEM and MDC cutoffs based on the same design of evaluation (especially retest timing) and to the targeted pathological population (MS vs. healthy) should systematically be used to consider cognitive modification as significant in research protocol as well as in clinical practice.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110181
Author(s):  
KH Lam ◽  
P van Oirschot ◽  
B den Teuling ◽  
HE Hulst ◽  
BA de Jong ◽  
...  

Background: Early detection and monitoring of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be enabled with smartphone-adapted tests that allow frequent measurements in the everyday environment. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability, construct and concurrent validity of a smartphone-adapted Symbol Digit Modalities Test (sSDMT). Methods: During a 28-day follow-up, 102 patients with MS and 24 healthy controls (HC) used the MS sherpa® app to perform the sSDMT every 3 days on their own smartphone. Patients performed the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS at baseline. Test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients, ICC), construct validity (group analyses between cognitively impaired (CI), cognitively preserved (CP) and HC for differences) and concurrent validity (correlation coefficients) were assessed. Results: Patients with MS and HC completed an average of 23.2 ( SD = 10.0) and 18.3 ( SD = 10.2) sSDMT, respectively. sSDMT demonstrated high test–retest reliability (ICCs > 0.8) with a smallest detectable change of 7 points. sSDMT scores were different between CI patients, CP patients and HC (all ps < 0.05). sSDMT correlated modestly with the clinical SDMT (highest r = 0.690), verbal (highest r = 0.516) and visuospatial memory (highest r = 0.599). Conclusion: Self-administered smartphone-adapted SDMT scores were reliable and different between patients who were CI, CP and HC and demonstrated concurrent validity in assessing information processing speed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
Meghan Beier ◽  
Kevin Alschuler ◽  
Dagmar Amtmann ◽  
Abbey Hughes ◽  
Renee Madathil ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: This study aimed to develop a Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) tablet application, “iCAMS,” and examine equivalency between the original paper-based and the tablet-based assessments. Methods: This study enrolled 100 participants with physician-confirmed multiple sclerosis (MS). Interrater reliability, parallel forms reliability, and concurrent validity were evaluated by incorporating two test administrators in each session: one scoring participant responses with the original paper assessments and the other with iCAMS. Although the participant was exposed to the material only once, responses were recorded on both administration methods. In addition to the standard test procedures, each research assistant used a stopwatch to measure the amount of time required to administer and score each version of BICAMS. Results: Pearson correlation coefficients (r) revealed strong and significant correlations for all three tests. Excellent agreement was observed between iCAMS and paper versions of the BICAMS tests, with all intraclass correlation coefficients exceeding 0.93. The scores from all the cognitive tests were not statistically significantly different, indicating no proportional bias. Including scoring, administration of the iCAMS application saved approximately 10 minutes over the paper version. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the tablet application iCAMS is a reliable and fast method for administering BICAMS.


1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 989-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Shaw ◽  
Truman E. Coggins

This study examines whether observers reliably categorize selected speech production behaviors in hearing-impaired children. A group of experienced speech-language pathologists was trained to score the elicited imitations of 5 profoundly and 5 severely hearing-impaired subjects using the Phonetic Level Evaluation (Ling, 1976). Interrater reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients. Overall, the magnitude of the coefficients was found to be considerably below what would be accepted in published behavioral research. Failure to obtain acceptably high levels of reliability suggests that the Phonetic Level Evaluation may not yet be an accurate and objective speech assessment measure for hearing-impaired children.


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