Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Shame in PARKinson’s disease (SPARK) Scale in Parkinson’s disease patients, using both classical test theory (CTT) and Rasch analysis techniques.
Background: The SPARK scale is a 33-item instrument designed to assess shame in PD across in 5 domains: PD symptoms; increased physical dependence; deterioration of body image; impact on self-esteem and level of stigma.
Method: This international, multi-center, cross-sectional study recruited PD patients from seven movement disorders clinics across Europe. The SPARK scale was administered, together with Hoehn & Yahr (HY) stage, MDS-UPDRS, PDQ-8, and Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI-8). According to CTT, the psychometric properties calculated were reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) and construct and internal validity. For Rasch analysis, fit to the model, unidimensionality, item local independence, reliability and differential item functioning (DIF) by language of administration (English, French, German, Greek, Romanian, and Spanish) were analyzed.
Results: A total of 303 patients were included (203 with motor fluctuations, PF; 100 with no motor fluctuations, PnF). The mean SPARK total scores were: 29.8 (standard deviation, SD: 20.0) for PF in Off; 22.8 (SD: 19.6) for PF in On; and 11.9 (SD: 11.4) for PnF (p<0.001). For internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha was >0.80 in all subscales both in PF and PnF. For test-retest reliability, the intra-class correlation coefficient was >0.70 for all subscales and reached 0.91 for total score in PF. The SPARK total correlated 0.29-0.52 with MDS-UPDRS; 0.61 with PDQ-8 SI; and 0.67 with SSCI-8 in PF, and scores were higher in patients in most severe HY stages (p<0.001). For internal validity, the inter-correlation of SPARK subscales was 0.47-0.81 in PF and 0.37-0.71 in PnF. Regarding Rasch analysis, after rescoring some items in PD symptoms subscale, all SPARK subscales showed good fit to the model, unidimensionality, local independence and adequate reliability. Body image subscale showed DIF by language in all items.
Conclusion: The SPARK is a reliable and valid scale for the assessment of shame and embarrassment in patients with PD. It can be a valuable tool for characterizing the impact of shame on patients’ lives and for improving the evaluation of psychological aspects of PD in both clinical practice and research.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
C. Rodriguez-Blazquez, I. Debove, A. Ayala, V. Fleury, A. Zenger, M. Kurtis, E. Cubo, C. Falup-Pecurariu, KR. Chaudhuri, MA. Qamar, H. Reichmann, S. Bostantjopoulou, M. Bereau, MJ. Forjaz, P. Martinez-Martin, P. Krack. International, multicenter validation study of the Shame in Parkinson’s disease (SPARK) Scale [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/international-multicenter-validation-study-of-the-shame-in-parkinsons-disease-spark-scale/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/international-multicenter-validation-study-of-the-shame-in-parkinsons-disease-spark-scale/