Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Resiliency Scale (MSRS) is the first measure designed to assess the factors connected to resilience towards MS-related challenges. In addition to a total score, the MSRS has five subscales: Emotional and Cognitive Strategies, Physical Activity and Diet, MS Peer Support, Support from Family and Friends, and Spirituality. While the MSRS has demonstrated good internal consistency and construct validity, its test-retest reliability has yet to be established. Furthermore, identifying the minimal detectable change (MDC) will improve its utility as an outcome measure for resiliency-based interventions.
Objectives: To determine the test-retest reliability and MDC of the MSRS.
Methods: Participants (n = 62) were PwMS who completed a series of questionnaires, including the MSRS, at Time 1. Two weeks later, they were asked to complete the MSRS a second time. All data were collected electronically via REDCap. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using a two-way random effects, single measurement intra-class coefficient (ICC), with agreement between Time 1 and Time 2 visualized with a Bland-Altman plot. The MDC was calculated using the standard error of measurement (SEM) with a 95% confidence interval.
Results: Participants had an average of 16.60 ± 3.97 days (range: 14 30 days) between the two administrations of the MSRS. At Time 1, the average score on the MSRS was 77.19 ± 11.97 (range: 45.83 97), with an average score of 76.38 ± 12.75 (range: 46 98) at Time 2. The MSRS total score had good test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.88), with the subscales ranging between 0.77 (MS Peer Support) and 0.93 (Spirituality). The MDC for the total score was 11.95.
Conclusions: These analyses suggest that the MSRS has good test-retest reliability, and that PwMS with a difference of 12 points or more between assessments have experienced a meaningful change. These results support the use of the MSRS as a potential outcome measure for MS-related resiliency.
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