information for practice

news, new scholarship & more from around the world


advanced search

Self-report fatigue questionnaires in multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and stroke: A systematic review of measurement properties

Abstract

Purpose  

To critically appraise, compare and summarize the measurement properties of self-report fatigue questionnaires validated in
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease (PD) or stroke.

Methods  

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and SPORTdiscus were searched. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health
Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of studies. A qualitative data synthesis
was performed to rate the measurement properties for each questionnaire.

Results  

Thirty-eight studies out of 5,336 records met the inclusion criteria, evaluating 31 questionnaires. Moderate evidence was
found for adequate internal consistency and structural validity of the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive functions (FSMC)
and for adequate reliability and structural validity of the Unidimensional Fatigue Impact Scale (U-FIS) in MS.

Conclusions  

We recommend the FSMC and U-FIS in MS. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue subscale (FACIT-F) and
Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) show promise in PD, and the Profile of Mood States Fatigue subscale (POMS-F) for stroke. Future
studies should focus on measurement error, responsiveness and interpretability. Studies should also put emphasis on providing
input for the theoretical construct of fatigue, allowing the development of questionnaires that reflect generic and disease-specific
symptoms of fatigue.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Category Review
  • Pages 1-20
  • DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-0009-2
  • Authors
    • Roy G. Elbers, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Leiden, Zernikedreef 11, PO Box 382, 2300 AJ Leiden, The Netherlands
    • Marc B. Rietberg, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Institute MOVE, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    • Erwin E. H. van Wegen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Institute MOVE, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    • John Verhoef, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Leiden, Zernikedreef 11, PO Box 382, 2300 AJ Leiden, The Netherlands
    • Sharon F. Kramer, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Dutch Cochrane Centre, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    • Caroline B. Terwee, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    • Gert Kwakkel, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research Institute MOVE, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands