Original Article
Spinal Cord (2009) 47, 817–821; doi:10.1038/sc.2009.57; published online 16 June 2009
Validity and responsiveness of the spinal cord index of function: an instrument on activity level
C Johansson1, P Bodin1 and M Kreuter1,2
- 1The Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Correspondence: Professor M Kreuter, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Box 455, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. E-mail: margareta.kreuter@gu.se
Received 13 March 2009; Revised 18 April 2009; Accepted 24 April 2009; Published online 16 June 2009.
Abstract
Objectives:
To evaluate the validity and responsiveness of the Spinal Cord Index of Function (SIF), a new instrument on activity level, measuring the ability to perform various transfers in non-walking patients with a spinal cord lesion.
Settings:
Spinal Injuries Unit, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Methods:
Twenty-nine patients with a spinal cord lesion classified as grade A, B or C according to the American Spinal Injury Association/International Medical Society of paraplegia classification were included. Each patient was evaluated from the acute phase until discharge, every second week, by their physiotherapist, according to SIF and the Swedish physiotherapy clinical outcome variables (S-COVS). To determine validity, Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was calculated between the total scores of SIF and S-COVS, and the determination coefficient was calculated. Responsiveness was determined by computing effect sizes.
Results:
Spearman's correlation between SIF and S-COVS was 0.933 and the determination coefficient was 0.87. The effect size for SIF was 9.1.
Conclusion:
The results of the study prove that SIF is a valid and sensitive instrument, which will be useful for physiotherapists in goal-planning programs and in evaluating progress during a patient's rehabilitation. SIF could also be used in research and in evaluating the patient's functional ability at follow-ups.
Keywords:
spinal cord lesion, assessment, transfer, physiotherapy
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated
RESEARCH
Latent Viruses in Chimpanzees with Experimental Kuru
Nature Article (04 Nov 1967)
Properties and outcomes of spinal rehabilitation units in four countries
Spinal Cord Original Article
