Development and validation of a speech pathology-specific questionnaire for persons with multiple sclerosis (SMS)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Speech pathology-specific questionnaire for persons with Multiple Sclerosis (SMS).

Method: Forty-one items were generated through a literature review. Items were submitted to a preliminary psychometric validation process consisting of principal component analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and floor and ceiling effects using data from 164 participants. Criterion validity was assessed by comparing the SMS with the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Participants were recruited internationally through online channels and questionnaires were completed online.

Result: The SMS contains 16 items describing three components: speech and voice, language, and swallowing. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) of the three components was satisfactory (α = 0.89–α = 0.91). Criterion validity was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ). A statistically significant weak to moderate correlation between the SMS and the SF-12 was identified (ρ = –0.004–ρ = –0.359). No floor or ceiling effects were present. The SMS demonstrated strong test-retest reliability. All items had an intra-class correlation coefficient ≥0.70.

Conclusion: The SMS is a psychometrically robust patient-reported outcome measure to assess speech-language pathology symptoms in persons with MS.

Keywords:

• patient-reported outcome measures
• multiple sclerosis
• surveys and questionnaires

Notes

1 Hereafter the term “component” is the technically correct name for what is more generally referred to as “factor,” following a PCA.