Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject

Allaert Francois-Andre; Courau Stephanie; Forestier Anne

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14

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Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject

Allaert Francois-Andre, Courau Stephanie, Forestier Anne

Published in International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 6)

Received: 2 September 2014 Accepted: 30 September 2014 Published: 30 October 2014

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Abstract

Objective: validation of the psychometric properties of the Merck "vitality quotient" questionnaire (VQ) i.e. the measures of its internal consistency, external validation and sensitivity to change. Methods: Prospective observational survey conducted on patients consulting for fatigue and taking Bion3® during winter period. The VQ includes 10 questions describing subjects’ activities and mood, rated from “1: very often” to “10: never”. Its comprehensibility and test-retest reliability has been evaluated in one other study. Each patient was asked to fulfil the VQ and the Pichot scale which is a reference scale for fatigue evaluation at inclusion and every month during three months. Internal consistency of the VQ was measured with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, external validation by its correlation coefficient with Pichot scale and its sensitivity to change by the paired T test of its average variations during the study period. Results: 132 subjects 48.2 ± 13.5 years old (63.6% women) were followed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient has a very high level of 0.93 and therefore indicates a very good internal consistency. The study of the VQ correlation with the fatigue scale of Pichot at baseline shows a high Pearson coefficient of r = -0.67 (p <0.0001) and the study of the correlation of their changes during the three months is of r = -0.75 (p <0.0001). The VQ is also sensitive to change. After one month the VQ increases from 47.3 ± 18.5 to 60.4 ± 20.5 and then to 73.5 ± 18.0 after 2 months and to 80.9 ± 18.1 after 3 months which is highly significant (p<0,0001) and corresponds to improvements of respectively +27.7%, +55.4% and +71.0% of the initial vitality of the subjects taking Bion3®. Conclusion: This study validates psychometrics properties (reliability, external validity and sensitivity to change) of the Merck « vitality quotient » which appears therefore as an effective tool to evaluate food supplements effects in subjects complaining of fatigue, tiredness, exhaustion and expressing a loss of vitality.

Published in	International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14
Page(s)	515-518
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Fatigue, Self-Questionnaire, Validation

References

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[2]	Ridsdale L, Evans A, Jerrett W, Mandalia S, Osler K, Vora H. Patients with fatigue in general practice: a prospective study. BMJ 1993;307: 103-6
[3]	Gardenas J. Echelles et outils d'évaluation en médecine générale Échelle de fatigue de Pichot pour l'évaluation de la Fatigue. Le Généraliste- Supplément du N° 2187; Mars 2002.
[4]	Krupp LB, LaRocca NG, Muir-Nash J, Steinberg AD. The Fatigue Severity Scale:application to patients with multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosis. Arch Neurol 1989;46: 1121–3
[5]	De Vries J., Michielsen H., Van Heck GL., Drent M. Measuring fatigue in sarcoidosis: The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). British Journal of Health Psychology (2004), 9, 279–291
[6]	DeVon H.A, Block M.E, Moyle-Wright P et al. A Psychometric Toolbox for Testing Validity and Reliability. Journal of Nursing Scholarship 2007 155-164
[7]	Pakhale S., Wood-Dauphinee S., Spahija A. Et al. Validation of a new questionnaire with generic and disease-specific qualities: The McGill COPD Quality of Life Questionnaire Can Respir J Vol 2012, 19, 6; 367-372.
[8]	Debouverie M, Pittion-Vouyovitch S, Louis S, Guillemin F.Validity of a French version of the fatigue impact scale in multiple sclerosis Mult Scler. 2007 Sep;13(8):1026-32.
[9]	Gledhill JA, Rodary C, Mahé C, Laizet C.French validation of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale. Rech Soins Infirm. 2002 Mar;(68):50-65.

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APA Style

Allaert Francois-Andre, Courau Stephanie, Forestier Anne. (2014). Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 3(6), 515-518. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14

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ACS Style

Allaert Francois-Andre; Courau Stephanie; Forestier Anne. Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 2014, 3(6), 515-518. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14

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AMA Style

Allaert Francois-Andre, Courau Stephanie, Forestier Anne. Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2014;3(6):515-518. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14,
  author = {Allaert Francois-Andre and Courau Stephanie and Forestier Anne},
  title = {Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject},
  journal = {International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6},
  pages = {515-518},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20140306.14},
  abstract = {Objective: validation of the psychometric properties of the Merck "vitality quotient" questionnaire (VQ) i.e. the measures of its internal consistency, external validation and sensitivity to change. Methods: Prospective observational survey conducted on patients consulting for fatigue and taking Bion3® during winter period. The VQ includes 10 questions describing subjects’ activities and mood, rated from “1: very often” to “10: never”. Its comprehensibility and test-retest reliability has been evaluated in one other study. Each patient was asked to fulfil the VQ and the Pichot scale which is a reference scale for fatigue evaluation at inclusion and every month during three months. Internal consistency of the VQ was measured with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, external validation by its correlation coefficient with Pichot scale and its sensitivity to change by the paired T test of its average variations during the study period. Results: 132 subjects 48.2 ± 13.5 years old (63.6% women) were followed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient has a very high level of 0.93 and therefore indicates a very good internal consistency. The study of the VQ correlation with the fatigue scale of Pichot at baseline shows a high Pearson coefficient of r = -0.67 (p <0.0001) and the study of the correlation of their changes during the three months is of r = -0.75 (p <0.0001). The VQ is also sensitive to change. After one month the VQ increases from 47.3 ± 18.5 to 60.4 ± 20.5 and then to 73.5 ± 18.0 after 2 months and to 80.9 ± 18.1 after 3 months which is highly significant (p<0,0001) and corresponds to improvements of respectively +27.7%, +55.4% and +71.0% of the initial vitality of the subjects taking Bion3®. Conclusion: This study validates psychometrics properties (reliability, external validity and sensitivity to change) of the Merck « vitality quotient » which appears therefore as an effective tool to evaluate food supplements effects in subjects complaining of fatigue, tiredness, exhaustion and expressing a loss of vitality.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject
AU  - Allaert Francois-Andre
AU  - Courau Stephanie
AU  - Forestier Anne
Y1  - 2014/10/30
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14
T2  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
SP  - 515
EP  - 518
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2327-2716
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14
AB  - Objective: validation of the psychometric properties of the Merck "vitality quotient" questionnaire (VQ) i.e. the measures of its internal consistency, external validation and sensitivity to change. Methods: Prospective observational survey conducted on patients consulting for fatigue and taking Bion3® during winter period. The VQ includes 10 questions describing subjects’ activities and mood, rated from “1: very often” to “10: never”. Its comprehensibility and test-retest reliability has been evaluated in one other study. Each patient was asked to fulfil the VQ and the Pichot scale which is a reference scale for fatigue evaluation at inclusion and every month during three months. Internal consistency of the VQ was measured with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, external validation by its correlation coefficient with Pichot scale and its sensitivity to change by the paired T test of its average variations during the study period. Results: 132 subjects 48.2 ± 13.5 years old (63.6% women) were followed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient has a very high level of 0.93 and therefore indicates a very good internal consistency. The study of the VQ correlation with the fatigue scale of Pichot at baseline shows a high Pearson coefficient of r = -0.67 (p <0.0001) and the study of the correlation of their changes during the three months is of r = -0.75 (p <0.0001). The VQ is also sensitive to change. After one month the VQ increases from 47.3 ± 18.5 to 60.4 ± 20.5 and then to 73.5 ± 18.0 after 2 months and to 80.9 ± 18.1 after 3 months which is highly significant (p<0,0001) and corresponds to improvements of respectively +27.7%, +55.4% and +71.0% of the initial vitality of the subjects taking Bion3®. Conclusion: This study validates psychometrics properties (reliability, external validity and sensitivity to change) of the Merck « vitality quotient » which appears therefore as an effective tool to evaluate food supplements effects in subjects complaining of fatigue, tiredness, exhaustion and expressing a loss of vitality.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Allaert Francois-Andre

Chair for Medical Evaluation, Methodology department, ESC, Dijon, France
Courau Stephanie

Merck Medication Familiale, Medical department, Dijon, France
Forestier Anne

Merck Medication Familiale, Medical department, Dijon, France

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APA Style

Allaert Francois-Andre, Courau Stephanie, Forestier Anne. (2014). Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 3(6), 515-518. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14

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ACS Style

Allaert Francois-Andre; Courau Stephanie; Forestier Anne. Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 2014, 3(6), 515-518. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14

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AMA Style

Allaert Francois-Andre, Courau Stephanie, Forestier Anne. Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2014;3(6):515-518. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14,
  author = {Allaert Francois-Andre and Courau Stephanie and Forestier Anne},
  title = {Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject},
  journal = {International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6},
  pages = {515-518},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20140306.14},
  abstract = {Objective: validation of the psychometric properties of the Merck "vitality quotient" questionnaire (VQ) i.e. the measures of its internal consistency, external validation and sensitivity to change. Methods: Prospective observational survey conducted on patients consulting for fatigue and taking Bion3® during winter period. The VQ includes 10 questions describing subjects’ activities and mood, rated from “1: very often” to “10: never”. Its comprehensibility and test-retest reliability has been evaluated in one other study. Each patient was asked to fulfil the VQ and the Pichot scale which is a reference scale for fatigue evaluation at inclusion and every month during three months. Internal consistency of the VQ was measured with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, external validation by its correlation coefficient with Pichot scale and its sensitivity to change by the paired T test of its average variations during the study period. Results: 132 subjects 48.2 ± 13.5 years old (63.6% women) were followed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient has a very high level of 0.93 and therefore indicates a very good internal consistency. The study of the VQ correlation with the fatigue scale of Pichot at baseline shows a high Pearson coefficient of r = -0.67 (p <0.0001) and the study of the correlation of their changes during the three months is of r = -0.75 (p <0.0001). The VQ is also sensitive to change. After one month the VQ increases from 47.3 ± 18.5 to 60.4 ± 20.5 and then to 73.5 ± 18.0 after 2 months and to 80.9 ± 18.1 after 3 months which is highly significant (p<0,0001) and corresponds to improvements of respectively +27.7%, +55.4% and +71.0% of the initial vitality of the subjects taking Bion3®. Conclusion: This study validates psychometrics properties (reliability, external validity and sensitivity to change) of the Merck « vitality quotient » which appears therefore as an effective tool to evaluate food supplements effects in subjects complaining of fatigue, tiredness, exhaustion and expressing a loss of vitality.},
 year = {2014}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Validation of the Psychometric Properties of the Merck Vitality Quotient: A Short Self-Questionnaire Dedicated to « Fatigue » Evaluation in Healthy Subject
AU  - Allaert Francois-Andre
AU  - Courau Stephanie
AU  - Forestier Anne
Y1  - 2014/10/30
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14
T2  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
SP  - 515
EP  - 518
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2327-2716
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140306.14
AB  - Objective: validation of the psychometric properties of the Merck "vitality quotient" questionnaire (VQ) i.e. the measures of its internal consistency, external validation and sensitivity to change. Methods: Prospective observational survey conducted on patients consulting for fatigue and taking Bion3® during winter period. The VQ includes 10 questions describing subjects’ activities and mood, rated from “1: very often” to “10: never”. Its comprehensibility and test-retest reliability has been evaluated in one other study. Each patient was asked to fulfil the VQ and the Pichot scale which is a reference scale for fatigue evaluation at inclusion and every month during three months. Internal consistency of the VQ was measured with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, external validation by its correlation coefficient with Pichot scale and its sensitivity to change by the paired T test of its average variations during the study period. Results: 132 subjects 48.2 ± 13.5 years old (63.6% women) were followed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient has a very high level of 0.93 and therefore indicates a very good internal consistency. The study of the VQ correlation with the fatigue scale of Pichot at baseline shows a high Pearson coefficient of r = -0.67 (p <0.0001) and the study of the correlation of their changes during the three months is of r = -0.75 (p <0.0001). The VQ is also sensitive to change. After one month the VQ increases from 47.3 ± 18.5 to 60.4 ± 20.5 and then to 73.5 ± 18.0 after 2 months and to 80.9 ± 18.1 after 3 months which is highly significant (p<0,0001) and corresponds to improvements of respectively +27.7%, +55.4% and +71.0% of the initial vitality of the subjects taking Bion3®. Conclusion: This study validates psychometrics properties (reliability, external validity and sensitivity to change) of the Merck « vitality quotient » which appears therefore as an effective tool to evaluate food supplements effects in subjects complaining of fatigue, tiredness, exhaustion and expressing a loss of vitality.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6
ER  -

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