Cross-Cultural Validation of the PFS-16 Scale in Moroccan Dialect: Validation Transculturelle De L'échelle PFS-16 En Dialecte Marocain

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, fatigue is one of the most prevalent non-motor symptoms associated with PD. The Parkinson Fatigue Scale (PFS-16) is commonly used to assess fatigue in patients with PD, but it is not currently available in Moroccan Arabic. This study aims to adapt the PFS-16 for Moroccan patients. Methodology: The study employed the Parkinson’s Disease Fatigue Scale (PFS-16), which was translated into Moroccan dialectal Arabic through a multi-step process involving expert review and a pilot study for clarity. Conducted at Hassan II University Hospital, it included Arabic-speaking participants both with and without Parkinson's disease. Questionnaires were administered, and participants completed the PFS-16 again after 15 days. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability evaluation using Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficients for reproducibility, and group comparisons to assess discriminant validity. Results: The study included 93 participants, predominantly male (52.7%) and averaging 56.78 ± 11.21 years old. The Parkinson's group had an average disease duration of 9.66 years. Fatigue was reported by 36.6%. The Moroccan version of the PFS-16 scale for assessing fatigue showed high reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.95) and excellent internal consistency, with no missing data. Discriminant validity analysis indicated significantly higher fatigue scores in controls compared to the Parkinson's group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, the Moroccan version of the PFS-16 scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing fatigue in Parkinson's disease patients, beneficial for local clinicians and researchers. It enables comparisons with international studies and supports clinical and economic research requiring accurate fatigue evaluation