Convergent and criterion-related validity of the short form of the International Physical Activity and the Incidental and Planned Physical Activity Questionnaires in people with multiple sclerosis

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Khalil, Hanan^{a; b; *} | Aburub, Aseel^c | Kanaan, Saddam F.^b | AlSharman, Alham^b | Khazaaleh, Shada^b | Al Qawasmeh, Majdi^d | El-Salem, Khalid^d

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar | [b] Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan | [c] Department of Physical Therapy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan School of Allied Health Professions, Amman, Jordan | [d] Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Hanan Khalil, Qatar University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Doha, Qatar; Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Tel.: +962 797713017; +974 30087097; E-mail: hkhalil@qu.edu.qa; hwkhalil8@just.edu.jo.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Assessing physical activity (PA) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is essential to follow-up the recommended PA level. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Incidental and Planned Exercise Questionnaire (IPEQ) have been widely used, but their validity has not been investigated previously in PwMS. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to assess the convergent and criterion validity of the IPAQ and the IPEQ in PwMS. METHODS:50 PwMS were asked to wear an Actigraph for seven days and to fill the IPAQ and IPEQ. Sedentary, moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA) and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) levels were recorded. RESULTS:Significant correlations were found between sitting time as reported by IPAQ and sedentary time as recorded by Actigraph (r = 0.41, p = 0.003), VPA by IPAQ and VPA as recorded by Actigraph (r = 0.46, p = 0.001), and MVPA by IPAQ and MVPA by Actigraph (r = 0.36, p = 0.011). IPEQ showed poor both criterion and convergent validity when compared to the Actigraph. Both IPAQ and IPEQ overestimate the intensities of PA for all the derived parameters. CONCLUSIONS:Findings of this study are important as they suggest that IPAQ in particular had convergent validity when compared to Actigraph data, but still had the problem of overestimating PA levels.

Keywords: Physical activity, IPAQ; IPEQ, Actigraph, multiple sclerosis, Incidental and Planned Exercise Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-210188

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 597-606, 2021