Confirmation and extension of the validity of the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12).
OBJECTIVE
The Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12) is a 12-item patient-rated measure of the impact of MS on walking. As validation of scores from a measure is an ongoing and evolving process, the provision of additional evidence is warranted that confirms and extends the validity of inferences from scores on the MSWS-12.


METHODS
Participants (N=133) were recruited through support group meetings of the Greater Illinois and Indiana State Chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and wore an accelerometer for a seven-day period and completed the MSWS-12 and other outcome measures.


RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a single-factor model provided an adequate fit for MSWS-12 scores. MSWS-12 scores demonstrated strong evidence of internal consistency. The correlations between MSWS-12 scores with scores from other scales, including an accelerometer, were consistent with our a priori hypotheses.


CONCLUSIONS
We provide evidence that both confirms and extends the validity of inferences from scores of the MSWS-12 as a measure of the impact of MS on walking in a community-based sample of individuals with MS.
Motl
Robert W
RW
Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. robmotl@uiuc.edu
Snook
Erin M
EM
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011594:Psychometrics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*