Fatigue Severity Scale Calculator
Assess the impact of fatigue on your daily functioning - FSS Assessment
Fatigue Severity Scale Assessment
Instructions
Please read each statement carefully and rate how accurately it reflects your condition during the past week. Use the 7-point scale where 1 = strongly disagree and 7 = strongly agree. There are no right or wrong answers.
Question 1
"My motivation is lower when I am fatigued."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
Question 2
"Exercise brings on my fatigue."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
Question 3
"I am easily fatigued."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
Question 4
"Fatigue interferes with my physical functioning."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
Question 5
"Fatigue causes frequent problems for me."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
Question 6
"My fatigue prevents sustained physical functioning."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
Question 7
"Fatigue interferes with carrying out certain duties and responsibilities."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
Question 8
"Fatigue is among my three most disabling symptoms."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
Question 9
"Fatigue interferes with my work, family, or social life."
Rate how much you agree with this statement based on your experience in the past week:
FSS Assessment Results
Recommendations
Complete the assessment by answering all questions.
Example FSS Scoring
Healthy Individual Example
Sample Responses: Mostly 1-3 ratings across all questions
Total Score: 21 points (average of 2.3 per question)
FSS Score: 21 ÷ 9 = 2.3 (Normal range)
Interpretation: Minimal fatigue, typical for healthy individuals
Clinically Significant Fatigue Example
Sample Responses: Mostly 4-6 ratings across all questions
Total Score: 45 points (average of 5.0 per question)
FSS Score: 45 ÷ 9 = 5.0 (Above cut-off of 4.0)
Interpretation: Moderate fatigue requiring medical evaluation
FSS Score Interpretation
Normal range for healthy individuals
Below clinical significance threshold
Clinically significant, medical evaluation recommended
Significant impairment, immediate medical attention needed
Common Fatigue Symptoms
Physical Symptoms
- • Chronic exhaustion and tiredness
- • Muscle weakness and pain
- • Dizziness and lightheadedness
- • Slowed reflexes
Cognitive Symptoms
- • Memory problems
- • Lack of focus and concentration
- • Impaired decision-making
- • Mental fog
Emotional Symptoms
- • Lack of motivation
- • Anxiety and irritability
- • Mood changes
- • Sleep disturbances
When to Seek Medical Help
Immediate Evaluation Needed:
- • FSS score ≥4.0
- • Fatigue lasting >6 months
- • Severe impact on daily activities
- • Accompanied by other symptoms
Consider Evaluation:
- • Fatigue not improved by rest
- • Interfering with work/relationships
- • Progressive worsening
- • Unexplained onset
Fatigue can be associated with various medical conditions including multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia, depression, and sleep disorders.
Understanding the Fatigue Severity Scale
What is the FSS?
The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is a validated 9-item self-assessment tool developed by Dr. Lauren Krupp and colleagues in 1989. Originally designed for multiple sclerosis and lupus patients, it's now widely used across various conditions.
Clinical Applications
- •Multiple sclerosis fatigue assessment
- •Chronic fatigue syndrome evaluation
- •Fibromyalgia and arthritis monitoring
- •Post-stroke fatigue assessment
Scoring and Interpretation
Scoring Method
Each of the 9 questions is rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 7=strongly agree). The final FSS score is the average of all responses.
Clinical Significance
The widely accepted cut-off score is 4.0. Scores at or above this threshold indicate clinically significant fatigue requiring evaluation and potential intervention.
Reference Values
Healthy individuals typically score around 2.3, while patients with fatigue-related conditions often score above 4.0, with severe cases reaching 5.0-7.0.
Important Clinical Notes
• Assessment takes approximately 5-8 minutes to complete
• Focus on experiences from the past week for accurate assessment
• FSS is best used as part of comprehensive clinical evaluation
• Scores may fluctuate with treatment and disease progression
• Post-stroke fatigue affects 38-73% of stroke survivors
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
This Fatigue Severity Scale calculator is for educational and screening purposes only. It should not be used as the sole basis for medical diagnosis or treatment decisions.
Important considerations:
- Self-assessment tools cannot replace professional medical evaluation
- Fatigue can be a symptom of numerous medical and psychiatric conditions
- A comprehensive medical history and physical examination are essential
- Additional testing may be needed to identify underlying causes
- Treatment should be individualized based on complete clinical assessment
- Consult healthcare professionals for persistent or severe fatigue
If you're experiencing clinically significant fatigue (FSS ≥4.0) or fatigue that interferes with daily activities, please consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and management.