The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the apraxia screen of TULIA in multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Purpose

The study was aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Apraxia Screen of TULIA (T-AST).

Methods

A total of 112 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were included in the study. T-AST tasks were performed once while recording with a video camera. Two physiotherapists scored T-AST, independently. Rater(1) performed a second assessment of apraxia with AST one week later. The disability was evaluated by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Cognitive assessment was carried out with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Depression was evaluated with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life (MusiQoL) was used to assess the quality of life. In addition, fatigue was evaluated with Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).

Results

The mean age of the patients was 42.3 ± 11.0 years. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the rater(1)’s and rater(2)’s evaluation was 0.820 and 0.800, respectively. ICC score of the intra-rater reliability was 0.960. ICC score of the inter-rater reliability was 0.971. The Spearman correlation coefficients between T-AST and MMSE, EDSS, MusiQoL, HAM-D, FSS were low to excellent, respectively (r = 0.863; p < 0.001, r = −0.768; p < 0.001, r = −0.560; p < 0.001, r = −0.393, p < 0.001, r = −0.324, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Turkish version of the AST is a reliable and valid tool for assessing upper limb apraxia in patients with MS.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The Turkish version of the Apraxia Screen of TULIA (T-AST) is a reliable and valid test for assessing apraxia in patients with multiple sclerosis.

• Considering the short structure, high reliability, and validity, T-AST could be used in clinical practice and clinical trials.

Keywords:

• Apraxia
• apraxia screen of TULIA
• multiple sclerosis
• reliability
• Turkish version
• validity

Ethical approval

The permission for the translation for the Turkish version of Apraxia Screen of TULIA was acquired from the developer of the original questionnaire. The study was carried out in accordance with the ethical principles and the Helsinki Declaration. Informed consent of the patients were obtained. The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of İstanbul Okan University (No: 91-23).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest and certify that no funding has been received for this study and/or the preparation of this manuscript.