The spasticity-related quality of life 6-dimensions instrument in upper-limb spasticity: Part II A first psychometric evaluation

J Rehabil Med. 2022 Jan 3:54:jrm00243. doi: 10.2340/jrm.v53.688.

Abstract

Objective: Psychometric evaluation of the Spasticity-related Quality of Life 6-Dimensions instrument (SQoL-6D).

Design: A clinimetric evaluation conducted in a multicentre, prospective, longitudinal cohort study at 8 UK sites.

Patients: Adult patients (n=104) undergoing focal treatment of upper-limb spasticity.

Methods: The SQoL-6D was administered in the clinic at enrolment and at 8 weeks, then 1-4 days later at home to assess test-retest reliability.

Results: The SQoL-6D demonstrated adequate construct validity and unidimensionality of the scale, allowing the calculation of a Total score. Cronbach's alpha (0.74) supported the internal consistency reliability, while the intraclass correlation coefficient supported test-retest reliability (0.82). Correlation coefficients with established instruments supported convergent validity, while significant differences between known-groups (of differing clinical severity) in SQoL-6D Total score confirmed its sensitivity to both cross-sectional and longitudinal differences.

Conclusion: The SQoL-6D is a promising new measure to assess health status for patients with upper-limb spasticity of any aetiology. Further investigation and exploration of the allocation of weights to convert the SQoL-6D to a health-related quality of life utility index, are required.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychometrics
  • Quality of Life*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Upper Extremity*