Patient-Reported Questionnaires in Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation: Responsiveness and Minimal Important Difference of the French Version of the Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire for Physiotherapists.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness and minimal important difference (MID) of the French version of the Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire for Physiotherapists (MSQPT). Method: A distribution-based approach was used. Patients (32) were recruited from inpatient and outpatient settings; they completed both the MSQPT and the Hamburg Quality of Life Questionnaire in Multiple Sclerosis (HAQUAMS) at baseline and again at 6 months or discharge. Responsiveness was evaluated using effect size (ES), standardized response mean (SRM), and modified SRM (MSRM), and the relative efficiency between the MSQPT and HAQUAMS was calculated. Distribution-based MID estimates were calculated for 0.33 SD, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change.
Results: The main ES ranged from 0.41 (low) to 1.23 (high). The SRM (-0.89 to 2.69) was generally higher than the ES. The main MSRMs were acceptably low (-0.03 to 0.19). Although the MSQPT seemed more efficient than the HAQUAMS in detecting improved activity and participation, it was less efficient at identifying their deterioration. In a comparison of responsiveness and MID between the German and French versions of the MSQPT, the differences between estimates were small. Conclusions: The available evidence indicates that the French MSQPT is a responsive questionnaire with MIDs that are similar to those of the original German version. © Canadian Physiotherapy Association.