Unidimensional Self-Efficacy Scale for Multiple Sclerosis (USE-MS) Turkish Adaptation

Adaptation, Validity and Reliability of "Unidimensional Self-Efficacy Scale for Multiple Sclerosis (USE-MS)" in Turkish

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Despite functional limitations and unpredictable disease course, individuals with MS are aimed to maintain different levels of independence according to the level of disability. It is aimed to develop interventions that aim to increase self-efficacy levels and participation in daily life in individuals with this diagnosis. The "Unidimensional Self-Efficacy Scale for Multiple Sclerosis (USE-MS)" is a self-efficacy scale developed specifically for individuals with MS and answered based on patient declaration. The aim of this study is to adapt the "USE-MS" scale into Turkish and to establish its validity and reliability.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Despite functional limitations and unpredictable disease course, individuals with MS are aimed to maintain different levels of independence according to the level of disability. It is aimed to develop interventions that aim to increase self-efficacy levels and participation in daily life in individuals with this diagnosis. The "Unidimensional Self-Efficacy Scale for Multiple Sclerosis (USE-MS)" is a self-efficacy scale developed specifically for individuals with MS and answered based on patient declaration. The scale, which consists of 12 questions in total, includes the assessment of the extent to which patients consider themselves competent during the performance of various tasks or activities. The aim of this study is to adapt the "USE-MS" scale into Turkish and to establish its validity and reliability. The study data will be collected multicenter and will be obtained from individuals diagnosed with MS who applied to Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Training and Research Hospital Neurology Outpatient Clinic and Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology and referred to Gazi University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Necessary permissions were obtained from all institutions and the scale developers. After the purpose and method of the study were explained to the participants in detail, individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study will be included. The questionnaires and scales to be used in the study will be administered by face-to-face interview method 2 times in total with 2 weeks intervals. Patients' self-efficacy will be assessed with the USE-MS scale and General Self Efficacy (GSE) questionnaires, their quality of life will be assessed with the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire (Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-MuSiQoL) and their fatigue will be assessed with the Neurological Fatique Inventory Multiple Sclerosis (NFI-MS). The serial approach method will be used to translate the original NFI-MS questionnaire into Turkish. In order to determine the comprehensibility of the translated text, the Turkish version of the NFI-MS will be administered to 20 individuals with MS and the parts that are not understood will be revised. Since at least 5-10 times the number of items in the questionnaire should be included for factor analysis, the final version of the questionnaire will be applied to individuals diagnosed with MS with at least 60-120 participants. Cronbach's Alpha Reliability coefficient will be used to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire and Rasch analysis will be applied for internal construct validity analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with MS by a neurologist,
• Understands and speaks Turkish,
• Individuals who score 18 points or above on the mini-mental status assessment (MMSA) will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dementia, hearing and/or vision loss,
• Illiterate patients will be excluded from the study.