Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire-Short Form

Background and Aim: Motion sickness is common during various forms of transportation. The Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire-Short form (MSSQ-Short) is a self- report tool designed to assess this problem. This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of MSSQ-Short. Methods: The questionnaire was translated to Persian and culturally adapted as the P-MSSQ-Short. After confirming face validity, the P-MSSQ-Short was administered to 354 university students (274 non-pilots, 80 pilots). One hundred participants were categorized into low-, moderate-, and high-susceptibility groups based on their Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores. Construct, concurrent, and discriminant validity were assessed. Test-retest reliability was analyzed with 113 participants, along with measurements of Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and Smallest Detectable Change (SDC). Results: The P-MSSQ-Short demonstrated good face validity. Total score showed strong correlations with sections A and B. Four factors were identified, with no ceiling effect but some floor effect observed. Scores significantly differed across NRS-based groups. The P-MSSQ-Short correlated strongly with NRS scores. Cronbach’s α for the total questionnaire, and sections A and B were 0.93, 0.88, and 0.86, respectively. Strong test-retest correlation was noted. ICCs for total, and sections A and B were 0.82–0.84. SEMs were 2.48, 2.15, and 4.29 while SDCs were 4.43, 4.18, and 5.65 for sections A, B, and total scores, respectively. Pilot students were significantly less susceptible than non-pilots (p<0.001). Conclusion: The P-MSSQ-Short exhibits high validity and reliability, making it a useful tool for predicting motion sickness susceptibility in Persian-speaking individuals.