Article

OBJECTIVE: To explore the reliability and feasibility of electronic visual
analogue scales in people with multiple sclerosis (MS)
and healthy individuals.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study Setting: Clinical setting Subjects:
Convenience sample of 52 people with MS and 52 matched healthy controls
Interventions: NA Main measures: Participants scored 15 statements assessing
fatigue, pain, anxiety and quality of life on an electronic visual analogue scale
(eVAS), either using a smartphone or a tablet (randomly allocated). To check for
test-retest reliability, statements were administered in two separate randomly
ordered groups. Subjects completed a feasibility questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean
(SD) eVAS scores ranged from 35 (28.1) to 80 (22.1) in MS group, and from 57
(28.0) to 86 (13.2) in controls. Intra Class Correlations ranged from 0.73 to
0.95 in MS sample; 0.61 to 0.92 in controls. For most statements, Bland-Altman
plots indicated no systematic error, but relatively large random error of the
eVAS scores (exceeding 20mm). Considerable ceiling effects (i.e. better health)
were found in healthy controls. Similar reliability was found among smartphone or
tablet, different demographic groups and the experience-groups. CONCLUSION:
Electronic visual analogue scales are reliable and useful for people with MS to
register fatigue, pain, anxiety and quality of life.

Langue : ANGLAIS