Validation of the multidimensional outcome expectations for exercise scale in ambulatory, symptom-free persons with multiple sclerosis

McAuley E, Motl RW, White SM, Wójcicki TR. Validation of the Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale in ambulatory, symptom-free persons with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To determine the psychometric properties of the 3-factor Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale in a sample of ambulatory, symptom-free persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design: Cross-sectional validation study.

Setting: Midwestern university.

Participants: Community-dwelling adults (N=242) with an established definite diagnosis of MS, as corroborated by the participant's neurologist, who were relapse free for the last 30 days and ambulatory with minimal assistance.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale, physical activity, self-efficacy, and physical health status. Confirmatory factor analyses using covariance modeling and correlational analyses were used to establish factorial and construct validity.

Results: Analyses showed excellent factorial validity for the hypothesized factor structure reflecting physical, social, and self-evaluative outcome expectations. All 3 subscales were internally consistent. Theoretically, relevant correlations between outcome expectations and self-efficacy, physical activity, and physical health status were all supported.

Conclusions: The Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale appears to be a reliable and valid measure of outcome expectations for exercise in this limited sample of community-dwelling adults with MS. Further validation in clinical samples is warranted.