Article

Various rating scales have been used to assess ability in individuals with spinal
cord injury. There is no specific functional assessment scale for Turkish
patients with spinal cord injury. The Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) is
a specific test, which has become popular in the last decade. A study was
conducted to validate and evaluate the Turkish adaptation of the SCIM III (T-SCIM
III). The SCIM III was translated into Turkish. Reliability, (internal
consistency, interrater reliability, and test-retest reliability), validity (with
Functional Independence Measurement), and sensitivity (changes in 8-week exercise
program) were studied. Internal consistency for total score was sufficient
(Cronbach alpha=0.79). The interrater reliability was moderate to high (Cohen
kappa between 0.72 and 1). Convergent validity was high (r=0.89, P<0.01). The
T-SCIM III was found to be more sensitive than the Functional Independence
Measurement to changes in function. Hence, we recommend the use of T-SCIM III in
clinical practice as a reliable, valid, and easy-to-use tool.

Langue : ANGLAIS