title: The development and validation of the impact of multiple sclerosis scale and the symptoms of multiple sclerosis scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and validate the Impact of Multiple Sclerosis Scale (IMSS) and the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Scale (SMSS) using the Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for construct validity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Panel design involving test-retest over 4 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mailed survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Volunteers with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) recruited from an MS support service in Australia: 193 people (mean age, 39y) and 150 people participated at time 1 and time 2, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Principal components analyses, the Cronbach alpha, and descriptive statistics for the 2 scales; correlations for construct validity with the EDSS and retest; and confirmatory factor analysis to test the stability of IMSS and SMSS components over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The IMSS yielded 5 independent and reliable components; the SMSS yielded 3 components; both component structures were stable over time. These scales showed convergent validity with the EDSS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IMSS and SMSS are psychometrically sound scales suitable for clinical and research purposes to assess the symptoms and impact of MS.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Australia.
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile