Validation and standardization of the Brain Fog Scale (BFS) in the U.S. general population

StatusPost-Print
Dublin Core metadata
Alternative title
Authors
Dębowska, Agata
Boduszek, Daniel
Bielak, Sandra
Hales, George K.
Bojnowska, Urszula
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2025-10-14
Publisher
Journal title
Personality and Individual Differences
Issue
Volume
249
Pages
Pages
1-9
DOI
ISSN
0191-8869
ISSN of series
Weblink
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886925004611?via%3Dihub
Access date
2027-10-05
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
The aim of the present study was to conduct the first validation of the English version of the Brain Fog Scale (BFS) and to provide normative data. Using a cross-sectional study design, we collected online survey data among a representative sample of 2005 community-based adults from all U.S. states (M age = 45.81, SD = 15.86, Median = 47; 50.8 % female). The results demonstrate that the BFS is a reliable and valid measure of brain fog with excellent psychometric properties. Based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results, the scale scores are best captured by three correlated factors labelled: mental fatigue, impaired cognitive acuity, and confusion. BFS total scores were significantly associated with physical fatigue, mental fatigue, mental distress, stress, and sleep disturbance, providing evidence for the BFS construct validity. BFS scores were also correlated with certain socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors, such as age, sex, global health status, alcohol abuse, pain/sleep medication intake, physical activity, and sugar consumption. The BFS can be used in clinical settings as a screening tool for a subjective mild cognitive decline and in clinical trials as an outcome measure.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Brain fog
Brain Fog Scale (BFS)
onfirmatory factor analysis (CFA)
Representative U.S. adult sample
Normative data
Keywords other
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Place of exhibition (institution)
Exhibition curator
URI
https://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/1851
Type
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cc-by-nc-nd
Except as otherwise noted, this item is licensed under the Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence | Permitted use of copyrighted works
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Grant/project name
47/2024/FRBN/G
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Debowska et al. (2026) Validation and standardization of the Brain Fog Scale (BFS) in the U.S. general population_author copy.pdf(478.79 KB)
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