The Spinal Cord Injury – Quality of Life (SCI-QOL) measurement system: Development, psychometrics, and item bank calibration

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2015 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772315Y.0000000035 · Published: January 1, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) has become a significant cause of long-term disability, affecting various areas of health and functioning. Individuals with SCI face physical limitations, emotional challenges, and social disruptions. The Spinal Cord Injury – Quality of Life (SCI-QOL) measurement system was developed to address the lack of appropriate tools for assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains specific to individuals with SCI. The SCI-QOL project aims to provide healthcare professionals with tools to measure and monitor a wide variety of issues that individuals with SCI might experience, assess changes over time, and identify potential risk factors.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Approximately 1500 individuals with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The SCI-QOL project has developed item banks to measure various aspects of quality of life for individuals with SCI, including secondary medical complications, emotional health, social functioning, and physical functioning.
2
The SCI-QOL Anxiety item bank is linked with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and the SCI-QOL Depression bank is linked with the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-9).
3
The SCI-QOL includes measures of positive psychological variables, emotional states, self-esteem, and stigma, reflecting the diverse experiences of individuals with SCI.

Research Summary

The Spinal Cord Injury – Quality of Life (SCI-QOL) measurement system was developed to address the lack of appropriate tools for assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains specific to individuals with SCI. This special issue of The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine introduces the SCI-QOL to the field and serves as a technical manual for its use. The SCI-QOL project includes item banks to measure various aspects of quality of life, including physical, emotional, and social functioning, as well as secondary medical complications and psychological well-being.

Practical Implications

Improved Assessment

Provides healthcare professionals with standardized tools to assess a wide range of HRQOL domains relevant to individuals with SCI.

Enhanced Clinical Practice

Facilitates the monitoring of changes over time and identification of potential risk factors in individuals with SCI.

Research Advancement

Offers valid and reliable outcome measures for SCI researchers, addressing subjectively important issues to individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The SCI-QOL Pain Interference item bank and Pain Behavior scale are not included in this special issue.
2
The Respiratory and Sexual Functioning item banks have not been calibrated due to insufficient data.
3
Additional scaling work is yet to be performed on the SCI-QOL Independence item bank.

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