Measuring Fatigue in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2008 · DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2007.11.009 · Published: March 1, 2008

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Fatigue is a common issue for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and can hinder their ability to participate in daily activities and reintegrate into the community. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) for measuring fatigue in people with SCI. The results showed that the FSS has acceptable reliability and validity for use in individuals with motor complete SCI, making it a useful tool for clinicians and researchers.

Study Duration

Two weeks

Participants

48 community living individuals at least one year post SCI with ASIA A or B SCI and no medical conditions causing fatigue.

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89) in persons with motor complete SCI.
2
The FSS showed good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.84) over a two-week period in the SCI population.
3
The FSS exhibited construct validity through significant correlations with the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression – Scale (CES-D).

Research Summary

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The results indicated that the FSS has acceptable reliability with regard to internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity in persons with motor complete SCI. The findings support the use of the FSS as a tool for measuring fatigue in research and clinical settings for individuals with SCI.

Practical Implications

Clinical Assessment

The FSS can be used by clinicians to assess and monitor fatigue levels in individuals with SCI.

Research Tool

Researchers can utilize the FSS to investigate the prevalence, magnitude, and impact of fatigue in SCI populations.

Treatment Planning

The FSS can aid in developing and evaluating targeted interventions for managing fatigue in individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study sample included only healthy volunteers with motor complete SCI, limiting the generalizability to individuals with incomplete injuries or other health conditions.
2
The study did not assess the responsiveness or predictive validity of the FSS, requiring further research to evaluate these aspects.
3
There was a relatively high number of persons with tetraplegia in our study, and it is possible that could have influenced our results.

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