Citation

Lequerica A, Bushnik T, Wright J, Kolakowsky-Hayner SA, Hammond FM, Dijkers MP, Cantor J. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2012; 27(6): E28-E35.

Affiliation

Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, New Jersey (Dr Lequerica); University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey (Dr Lequerica); Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Langone School of Medicine, New York, New York (Dr Bushnik); Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Rehabilitation Research Center, San Jose, California (Ms Wright and Dr Kolakowsky-Hayner); Carolinas Rehabilitation, Charlotte, North Carolina (Ms Hammond); Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana (Ms Hammond); and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York (Drs Dijkers and Cantor).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0b013e31826fe574

PMID

23131968

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) scale in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sample. DESIGN:: Prospective survey study. SETTING:: Community. PARTICIPANTS:: One hundred sixty-seven individuals with TBI admitted for inpatient rehabilitation, enrolled into the TBI Model Systems national database, and followed up at either the first or second year postinjury. INTERVENTIONS:: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):: Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue. RESULTS:: The initial analysis, using items 1 to 14, which are based on a 10-point rating scale, found that only 1 item ("walking") misfit the overall construct of fatigue in this TBI population. However, this 10-point rating scale was found to have disordered thresholds. When ratings were collapsed into 4 response categories, all MAF items used to calculate the Global Fatigue Index formed a unidimensional scale. CONCLUSION(S):: Findings generally support the unidimensionality of the MAF when used in a TBI population but call into question the use of a 10-point rating scale for items 1 to 14. Further study is needed to investigate the use of a 4-category rating scale across all items and the fit of the "walking" item for a measure of fatigue among individuals with TBI.

Language: en