DUFS and DEFS: development, reliability and validity of the Dutch Fatugue Scale and the Dutch Exertion Scale

The purpose of this study among patients with chronic heart failure (n = 138) was to develop and test both the Dutch Fatigue Scale (DUFS) and the Dutch Exertion Fatigue Scale (DEFS). Psychometric testing of these scales included measurement of internal consistency, construct validity and criterion-related validity. Statistical analyses of both scales showed sufficient reliability and validity. The DUFS (scale coefficient H = 0.48; Rho = 0.80; KR-20 = 0.79) is suitable as a measurement instrument for the diagnosis of fatigue and makes it possible;lo compare results of fatigue on the level of groups of patients. The DEFS (scale coefficient H = 0.61; Rho = 0.91; Cronbach's alpha = 0.91) can be used in clinical practice for the measurement of patients' exertion fatigue. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

A criterion-related validity study of the nursing-care dependency (NCD) scale

The purpose of this study was to examine some aspects of the criterion-related validity of the Nursing-Care Dependency (NCD) scale. This 15-item counting scale has recently been developped for assessing the care dependency of demented or mentally handicaped in-patients. Its criterion-related validity was investigated by studying the relationship between the Nursing-Care Dependency scale, the Rating Scale for Elderly Patients (RSEP), the Behavior Observation Scale for Intramural Psychogeriatrics (BOSIP) and the Scale for Social Functioning (SSF). Data were collected from 322 demented and 105 mendtally handicapped patients using the mentioned instruments. High correlations were found between NCD and RSEP, and NCD and SSF. There was a low relationship between the NCD sumscore and BOSIP subscale-scores. The NCD was able to purposefully distinguish groups of demented patients when an external criterion was used.