Psychometric properties of the Croatian version of the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12)

Abstract

Purpose Walking difficulties in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are one of the most pronounced predictors affecting patients’ quality of life. The study objective was to determine the psychometric properties of the Croatian version of the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) among pwMS in Croatia and to examine the association between MSWS-12 and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29). Materials and methods A cross-sectional study included a sample of pwMS (N = 148). Psychometric properties were examined by estimating the validity and reliability of the MSWS-12. The predictive validity of MSWS-12 and demographic and disease-related factors were assessed by a hierarchical regression model using MSIS-29 and DASS-21 as criterion variables. Results Scale reliability was good for the MSWS-12 scale, expressed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.98). Correlations between MSWS-12 and DASS-21 (0.20–0.27) and between MSWS-12 and MSIS-29 subscales (0.47–0.83) provided initial support for the convergent validity. Factor analysis demonstrated the unidimensional structure of the MSWS-12. Conclusions The Croatian version of the MSWS-12 is a reliable, valid, and clinically useful tool for assessing walking impairments in pwMS. Implications for rehabilitation Walking difficulties in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are one of the most pronounced predictors affecting patients’ quality of life. Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) is a measure of the disease’s impact on walking abilities from the patient’s perspective. MSWS-12 is a reliable scale for assessing walking speed, endurance, and gait quality in multiple sclerosis and is validated in several languages (Korean, Italian, Brazilian, and Persian). The Croatian version of the MSWS-12 is a reliable, predictive, and valid tool for screening walking impairments in pwMS.