Short Fatigue Questionnaire (SFQ)
A 4-item self-report instrument measuring the intensity of physical fatigue.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Short Fatigue Questionnaire (SFQ) was developed by Alberts, M., Smets, E. M. A., Vercoulen, J. H. M. M., Garssen, B., & Bleijenberg, G. (1997). It is designed to measure Physical Fatigue. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 4 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = No, that is not true, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4, 5 = 5, 6 = 6, 7 = Yes, that is true.
The scale includes 1 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 4 to 28. Interpretation guidelines:
- Normal fatigue levels: 4 – 17
- Severe fatigue: 18 – 28
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.85.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 2 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.