Psychometric Properties of the Community Integration Questionnaire in a Heterogeneous Sample of Adults With Physical Disability

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2011 · DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.05.004 · Published: October 1, 2011

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how well a questionnaire called the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) measures participation in community life for adults with physical disabilities. The researchers wanted to see if the CIQ, which was originally designed for people with traumatic brain injury, is also a good tool for measuring community integration in people with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, limb loss, or muscular dystrophy. The study found that the CIQ can be a useful tool, but some changes to how it is scored might be needed to make it more accurate for people with physical disabilities.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

751 community-dwelling adults with spinal cord injury (n=146), multiple sclerosis (n=174), limb loss (n=158), or muscular dystrophy (n=273)

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional, survey study

Key Findings

1
The original scoring system of the CIQ showed acceptable internal consistency for the Total scale and Home Integration subscale, but not for Social Integration and Productive Activities.
2
Exploratory factor analysis suggested a 4-factor structure, but confirmatory factor analysis indicated a modified 3-factor solution fit the data best.
3
Using a revised scoring system, the CIQ demonstrated improved reliability and good concurrent validity.

Research Summary

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) in a mixed sample of adults with physical disabilities. The results provide general support for the validity of the CIQ as a measure of participation in adults with physical disabilities. However, our results indicate that some small modifications to the original scoring system are needed to optimize its use in this patient group.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Clinicians should be aware of the potential need to modify the CIQ scoring system when using it with adults with physical disabilities to optimize its accuracy.

Research

Future research should focus on refining the measurement of participation in various populations, including further investigation of the Productive Activities subscale.

Questionnaire Improvement

The study suggests specific modifications to the CIQ, such as excluding the childcare item and re-evaluating the scoring of other items, to enhance its psychometric properties in non-TBI populations.

Study Limitations

1
The sample was largely white and well-educated, which may limit generalizability of the findings.
2
We sampled from 4 disability groups, which represents only a subset of disability diagnoses.
3
Because we did not formally screen for cognitive impairment, we cannot be certain these participants comprised a “pure” physical disability sample.

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