Short Fatigue Questionnaire

Abstract

The Verkorte Vermoeidheidsvragenlijst (VVV), also known as the Short Fatigue Questionnaire (SFQ), is a concise questionnaire designed to quantify the subjective intensity of fatigue. Developed in 1997, the instrument comprises four distinct statements aimed specifically at measuring the singular dimension of physical fatigue. The SFQ yields a total composite score that allows clinicians and researchers to compare an individual’s self-reported fatigue level against established norm values, facilitating quick screening and monitoring in various adult populations.

Keywords

Short Fatigue Questionnaire, SFQ, VVV, physical fatigue, fatigue intensity, psychometrics, screening tool, health assessment, norm values, psychological scale.

Authors

Alberts M, Smets EMA, Vercoulen JHMM, Garssen B, Bleijenberg G.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Short Fatigue Questionnaire (SFQ) is to provide a rapid and reliable measurement of the intensity of fatigue experienced by an individual. Given its brevity, consisting of only four items, the SFQ is highly suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies, clinical settings requiring efficient patient assessment, or monitoring changes in fatigue levels over time. It serves as a practical tool for assessing the severity of fatigue related to general tasks and demands, offering an efficient alternative to longer, more complex instruments.

The scale is intended for use in adult and elderly populations where fatigue may be a prominent symptom associated with various health conditions or general physical strain. The derived total score allows for standardized comparisons against reference populations, aiding in both diagnosis and outcome measurement.

Construct

The SFQ is fundamentally designed to measure a single, unidimensional construct: physical fatigue. This construct refers specifically to the subjective feeling of weariness, lack of energy, or exhaustion perceived by the individual, often related to physical exertion or the demands of daily living. The focus is strictly on the bodily manifestation of exhaustion, differentiating it from cognitive or emotional fatigue components.

The four items are carefully selected to capture this core dimension of intensity. By focusing on a single, clear construct, the scale maintains high practical utility and strong psychometric validity for its stated purpose—the quick assessment of physical fatigue severity.

Validity

The validity of the Short Fatigue Questionnaire stems from its origins as a concise version of more comprehensive fatigue measures. Content validity is established by ensuring that the four selected items accurately represent the domain of physical fatigue intensity. Construct validity is typically demonstrated through correlation studies showing that SFQ scores align closely with scores from established, longer fatigue scales (convergent validity) and correlate weakly with measures of unrelated constructs, such as anxiety or specific pain indices (discriminant validity).

Furthermore, criterion validity is often explored by comparing SFQ scores with objective measures of physical function or clinical diagnoses where fatigue is a known component, confirming that the questionnaire is indeed measuring the intended health status outcome.

Reliability

Reliability of the SFQ is a critical psychometric property, particularly given its brevity. Internal consistency, measured typically using Cronbach’s alpha, must be robust to ensure that the four items coherently measure the same underlying construct of physical fatigue. High internal consistency confirms the homogeneity of the scale items.

Test-retest reliability is also essential, demonstrating the stability of the measurement over short periods, provided that the individual’s actual fatigue level has not changed. This stability ensures that variations in scores are due to actual changes in the respondent’s condition rather than measurement error inherent to the scale itself.

Factor Analysis

As the Short Fatigue Questionnaire aims to assess a single dimension, factor analysis is used to confirm this structure. Exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA) performed during the scale’s development confirms that all four items load strongly onto one primary factor. This unified factor structure provides statistical justification for calculating and interpreting a single total score as representative of the intensity of physical fatigue.

Instrument

Test Type: Questionnaire / Self-Report Psychological Scale

Format: Four-item scale requiring self-assessment, typically utilizing a Likert-type response format to gauge intensity.

Language Available: Original language is Dutch (Verkorte Vermoeidheidsvragenlijst).

Population Group: Clinical and general populations.

Age Group: Adults (Volwassenen) and Elderly (Ouderen).

Population Details: Applicable for measuring fatigue intensity across a broad spectrum of individuals, including those dealing with chronic conditions where fatigue is a primary symptom, and for assessing general tasks and demands of daily life.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the intensity of their subjective fatigue experience based on the four statements over a specified recall period, yielding a quantifiable total score that can be compared against norm values.

Keywords

VVV, SFQ, physical exhaustion, psychometric properties, scale development, health status, general tasks, chronic fatigue syndrome, intensity measurement.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Information not provided in source.

Affiliation Email addresses: Information not provided in source.

Correspondence Address: Information not provided in source.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Short Fatigue Questionnaire was initially developed and published in 1997 by Alberts, Smets, Vercoulen, Garssen, and Bleijenberg. Specific details regarding current licensing, permissions for commercial or clinical use, or required fees must be obtained directly from the corresponding author or the rights holder of the scale.

The explanatory form (Toelichtingsformulier) for the instrument can be accessed via this PDF link: VVV-form.pdf.

The original measurement instrument (Meetinstrument) can be accessed via this PDF link: VVV-meetinstr.pdf.

Reference’s

Alberts M, Smets EMA, Vercoulen JHMM, Garssen B, Bleijenberg G (1997). The Short Fatigue Questionnaire (SFQ). *Specific journal citation needed for primary publication.*

Items of the Verkorte Vermoeidheidsvragenlijst / Short Fatigue Questionnaire

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The specific items of the Verkorte Vermoeidheidsvragenlijst (VVV) are contained within the full instrument document linked above. The scale consists of four statements designed to measure the intensity of physical fatigue.