Article

OBJECTIVES: To develop an easy-to-use scale that measures upper limb capacity,
according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
Health definition, in patients after stroke, and to investigate certain
psychometric properties of this scale. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Inpatient
department of a rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=546; mean age
+/- SD, 60.1+/-11.2y; 56% men) undergoing rehabilitation after stroke.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mokken scale analysis was
used to investigate the following psychometric properties: (1) fit of the
monotone homogeneity model, indicating that the items form a scale; (2)
unidimensionality, indicating that the items measure only 1 concept (or
construct); (3) fit of the double monotonicity model, indicating invariant
(hierarchical) item ordering; (4) differential item functioning (DIF), indicating
the validity of comparison between subgroups; and (5) internal consistency,
indicating the degree of interrelatedness of the items. The mean time needed to
complete the scale was calculated to indicate (6) feasibility. RESULTS: The
Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS) was developed on the basis of interviews
with experts. Ten of 15 items had (1) good fit of the monotone homogeneity model
(coefficient H=.88), were (2) unidimensional, and had (3) good fit of the double
monotonicity model (coefficient H(T)=.71), (4) absence of DIF (Crit-values <40),
and (5) good internal consistency (coefficient rho=.96). When applying
start-and-stop rules, the (6) feasibility of the SULCS was good (6min).
CONCLUSIONS: The SULCS is an easy-to-use, unidimensional, hierarchical, and
internally consistent scale that assesses upper limb capacity in patients after
stroke.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS