Preliminary Reliability and Validity of a Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale

J Spinal Cord Med, 2007 · DOI: · Published: January 1, 2007

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Mental Health

Simple Explanation

This study introduces a new scale, the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale (SCI-SCS), designed to measure the impact of secondary health conditions on individuals with spinal cord injuries. The scale was tested for its reliability and validity, meaning how consistently it measures secondary conditions and whether it accurately reflects the impact of these conditions on people's lives. The results suggest that the SCI-SCS is a promising tool for research, allowing for comparisons between different groups of people with SCI and for examining how secondary conditions relate to other aspects of their health and well-being.

Study Duration

2 years

Participants

65 individuals with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The SCI-SCS demonstrated good internal consistency, meaning that its items consistently measured the same underlying construct.
2
The scale also showed acceptable test-retest reliability, indicating that it produced similar results when administered to the same individuals at different time points.
3
Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations between SCI-SCS scores and physical functioning measures, particularly pain levels.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale (SCI-SCS) for reliability and validity in measuring the impact of secondary conditions on individuals with SCI. Results indicated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, along with convergent validity demonstrated through correlations with physical functioning and pain measures. The SCI-SCS shows promise as a research tool for cross-sample comparison and examination of the relationship between secondary conditions and health/psychosocial well-being in SCI populations.

Practical Implications

Research Tool

The SCI-SCS can be used in research studies to compare the prevalence and impact of secondary conditions across different SCI populations.

Comprehensive Assessment

The scale provides a comprehensive assessment of various secondary conditions, including pain, spasticity, bladder dysfunction, and pressure sores.

Clinical Practice

The SCI-SCS can assist clinicians in identifying and addressing the specific secondary conditions that are most impactful for individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The use of archival data limited control over variable selection and modification.
2
The sample's participation in a health promotion program may introduce bias.
3
The sample may not be representative of the broader SCI population.

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