The Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ): linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Russian-language version

   Impaired hand function is one of the most common clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS), which has a significant impact on patients' quality of life.

   Objective: to develop a Russian-language version and linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ), which is used to quantitatively assess hand function in patients with MS.

   Material and methods. The process of translating and linguistically and culturally adapting the questionnaire comprised six stages: direct translation by two specialists, synthesis of the translations, back-translation, expert review of the Russian-language version of the questionnaire, pilot testing, and final editing of the text. The pilot study included 18 Russian-speaking patients diagnosed with MS. The questionnaire was completed under the supervision of a neurologist, and its clarity, accessibility of wording and overall perception by patients were assessed. The median age of the pilot study participants was 33 years, the median duration of the disease was 6 years, and the mean EDSS score was 4.0.

   Results. All participants successfully completed the questionnaire without difficulty. The time taken to complete it ranged from 4 to 12 minutes. Following the analysis, the final Russian-language version of the AMSQ questionnaire, adapted to take account of linguistic and cultural characteristics, was approved. The Russian-language version of the questionnaire demonstrated clinical applicability and comprehensibility for patients with MS.

   Conclusion. This questionnaire can be used in routine clinical practice and scientific research as a reliable tool for assessing hand function. The next stage of the validation study will involve evaluating the psychometric properties of the Russian-language version of the questionnaire.

1. McGinley MP, Goldschmidt CH, Rae-Grant AD. Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis : A Review. JAMA. 2021 Feb 23;325(8):765-79. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.26858. Erratum in: JAMA. 2021 Jun 1;325(21):2211. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.7928

2. Van Munster CE, Uitdehaag BM. Outcome Measures in Clinical Trials for Multiple Sclerosis. CNS Drugs. 2017 Mar;31(3):217-36. doi: 10.1007/s40263-017-0412-5

3. Mokkink LB, Knol DL, van der Linden FH, et al. The Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ): development and validation of a new tool using IRT methods. Disabil Rehabil. 2015 Dec;37(26):2445-51. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1027005

4. Beaton DE, Bombardier C, Guillemin F, Ferraz MB. Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2000 Dec 15;25(24):3186-91. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200012150-00014

5. Inojosa H, Schriefer D, Ziemssen T. Clinical outcome measures in multiple sclerosis : A review. Autoimmun Rev. 2020 May;19(5):102512. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102512

6. Bastos A, Soares M, Guimaraes J. Markers of secondary progression in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 Nov;91:105881. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105881

7. Johansson S, Ytterberg C, Claesson IM, et al. High concurrent presence of disability in multiple sclerosis. Associations with perceived health. J Neurol. 2007 Jun;254(6):767-73. doi: 10.1007/s00415-006-0431-5

8. Lamers I, Kelchtermans S, Baert I, Feys P. Upper limb assessment in multiple sclerosis : a systematic review of outcome measures and their psychometric properties. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Jun;95(6):1184-200. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.02.023

9. Kalkers NF, Galan I, Kerbrat A, et al. Differential item functioning of the Arm function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ) by language, a study in six countries. Mult Scler. 2021 Jan;27(1):90-6. doi: 10.1177/1352458519895450

10. Luijten MA, Eekhout I, D'Hooghe M, et al. Development of the Arm Function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire-Short Form (AMSQ-SF): A static 10-item version. Mult Scler. 2018 Dec;24(14):1892-901. doi: 10.1177/1352458518808197