Rasch analysis of the Fatigue Severity Scale in Italian subjects with multiple sclerosis

To perform a psychometric analysis of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) using Rasch analysis in a sample of Italian subjects with multiple sclerosis. The 9-item FSS was administered to 156 Italian-speaking subjects with multiple sclerosis. Responses were assessed using Cronbach's alpha, item-rem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of rehabilitation medicine 2016-07, Vol.48 (7), p.597-603
Main Authors: Ottonello, Marcella, Pellicciari, Leonardo, Giordano, Andrea, Foti, Calogero
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analysis
Bias
Clinical research
Cronbach's alpha
Disability
Factor analysis
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Fatigue
Fatigue - etiology
Fatigue - psychology
Female
Humans
Italy
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis - complications
Multiple Sclerosis - psychology
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - standards
Psychometrics
Quantitative psychology
Rasch model
Reliability
Reproducibility of Results
Severity
Severity of Illness Index
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Summary:To perform a psychometric analysis of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) using Rasch analysis in a sample of Italian subjects with multiple sclerosis. The 9-item FSS was administered to 156 Italian-speaking subjects with multiple sclerosis. Responses were assessed using Cronbach's alpha, item-remainder correlations, factor analysis and Rasch analysis. The FSS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.95), but presented problems in the rating categories and failed to fit the Rasch model. After re-coding and deletion of item 1 (infit mean-square (MnSq) = 1.65; outfit MnSq = 1.72), the 8-item version fitted the latent construct that the scale was intended to measure and showed satisfactory reliability indices. The scale was not optimally targeted to the sample, but no sex or age bias was found. The 8-item FSS shows better psychometric properties than the 9-item version. However, a significant ceiling effect emerged in our sample of Italian adults with multiple sclerosis and, consequently, there is a targeting problem for patients with low-level disability. To consider this a valid tool for use in clinical practice and research, further studies with a larger sample of subjects with multiple sclerosis are needed.
ISSN:1650-1977
1651-2081
DOI:10.2340/16501977-2116