Measurement properties of assessment instruments of quality of life in people with spinal cord injury: A systematic review

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2024 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2023.2254878 · Published: January 1, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI/D) profoundly impacts quality of life (QoL). Effective assessment using validated clinical instruments is crucial. This review identifies QoL instruments for SCI/D patients, evaluating their measurement properties to recommend suitable tools for multi-professional treatment. The review uses COSMIN guidelines to analyze existing instruments, determining which ones have the best measurement properties for assessing QoL in SCI/D individuals.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Individuals with SCI/D (>18 years of age)

Evidence Level

Ranges from very low to high confidence

Key Findings

1
No single QoL instrument can be highly recommended as the most suitable for individuals with SCI/D due to limitations in current evidence.
2
Generic instruments like SF-36, SF-12, QWB, WHOQOL-DIS, WHOQOL-BREF, QLI-SCI, QOLP-PD, LS Questions, Lisat-9, and BRFSS show potential as current best options.
3
Content validity, responsiveness, cross-cultural validity, and measurement error are the least assessed properties, indicating gaps in research.

Research Summary

This systematic review aimed to identify and recommend QoL instruments for individuals with SCI/D based on measurement properties. The review found a need for instruments with high-quality evidence for sufficient measurement properties to support strong recommendations. Generic instruments such as SF-36, SF-12, QWB, WHOQOL-DIS, WHOQOL-BREF, QLI-SCI, QOLP-PD, LS Questions, Lisat-9 and BRFSS have the potential to be recommended.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Clinicians should carefully select QoL instruments based on the specific constructs they aim to measure, considering the limitations of current evidence.

Research

Future research should prioritize assessing content validity, responsiveness, cross-cultural validity, and measurement error to enhance the quality of QoL assessments in SCI/D.

Instrument Development

There is a need for developing and validating new SCI/D-specific instruments with robust measurement properties, addressing the gaps identified in this review.

Measurement properties of assessment instruments of quality of life in people with spinal cord injury: A systematic review

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Research

Instrument Development

Study Limitations

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Measurement properties of assessment instruments of quality of life in people with spinal cord injury: A systematic review

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Research

Instrument Development

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?