Factor Analysis for the Newly Adapted Arabic Version of Micheli Function Scale

Abstract Background: The Micheli function scale (MFS) is a com-monly used self-reported outcome measure in young athletes with low back pain. Aim of Study: The Aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the newly translated and cross-culturally adapted Micheli function scale-Arabic version (MFS-AR). Material and Methods: An EFA using the principal com-ponent analysis (PCA) method was conducted on a sample of 77 young athletes with low back pain. The Oblique (non-orthogonal) rotation method was used. The Eigenvalue of 1.00 was used as a cutoff point to retain a factor. A scree plot was produced to visually examine the eigenvalues. Item loading on factors with a value greater than 0.4 was considered enough to show a satisfactory inclusion in the structure. Results: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of 0.852 with Bartlett’s test of sphericity (p<0.01) justified the appropri-ateness of running the factor analysis. The analysis produced a one-factor structure which accounted for 67% of the total vari-ance. Conclusion: The newly adapted MFS-AR items can be abridged to one factor since items are loaded on a one-factor structure.