A cross-sectional psychometric study.

To translate, culturally adapt and validate the Chinese version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III-Self Report (SCIM-SR).

Four rehabilitation centers in Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shiyan, China.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Chinese version of the SCIM-SR was conducted according to Brislin guidelines. CDK and cancer A total of 147 spinal cord injury patients self-rated their functional independence using translated instrument. The psychometric properties of content validity, criterion-related validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability were examined.

The content validity index of the new scale was 0.99. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the total SCIM-SR and SCIM III scores was 0.935, and the coefficients for its three subscales were 0.899, 0.760, and 0.942. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the mean difference between the total SCIM-SR and SCIM III scores was 2.35 (95% confidence interval -0.58 to 5.28), and differences for the three subscales were 0.75 (-0.51-2.01), 1.30 (-0.63-3.23), and 0.30 (-0.80-1.40). The Cronbach’s α coefficients for the total scale, the self-care subscale, and the mobility subscale were 0.908, 0.913, and 0.895, respectively. The α for the respiration and sphincter management subscale was 0.581. Test-retest reliability after 2 weeks yielded a Spearman coefficient for the total scale of and subscale values all above 0.73.

Our results indicate acceptable validity and reliability of the Chinese version of SCIM-SR. It may facilitate long-term evaluations of independence in Chinese spinal cord injury patients in the community and at home.

Our results indicate acceptable validity and reliability of the Chinese version of SCIM-SR. It may facilitate long-term evaluations of independence in Chinese spinal cord injury patients in the community and at home.

Longitudinal community survey.

To determine subgroups in social participation of individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Community.

Data were collected in 2012 and 2017 as part of the community survey of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury cohort. Participation was assessed using the 33-item Utrecht Scale of Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation evaluating frequency of, restrictions in and satisfaction with productive, leisure, and social activities. Linear mixed-effects model trees were used to distinguish subgroups in participation associated with sociodemographic and lesion characteristics.

In all, 3079 observations were used for the analysis, of which 1549 originated from Survey 2012, 1530 from Survey 2017, and 761 from both surveys. Participants were mostly male (2012 71.5%; 2017 71.2%), aged on average 50 years (2012 52.3; 2017 56.5), with an incomplete paraplegia (2012 37.5%; 2017 41.8%) of traumatic origin (2012 84.7%; 2017 79.3%). There was limited within-person variation in particiing areas to improve participation of persons living with SCI.

Psychometric study.

This study aimed to evaluate the internal consistency and validity of the Italian version of the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test (JTHFT-IT) in people with tetraplegia.

Italian spinal units.

Psychometric properties of the JTHFT-IT were assessed following international guidelines. The internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated for the concurrent validity of JTHFT-IT with a dynamometer, while the construct validity was calculated in comparison to that of the Van Lieshout test short version in Italian (VLT-SV-IT).

The test was administered to 48 right-hand dominant people with tetraplegia. Cronbach’s alpha calculation resulted in a value of 0.96 for the right hand and 0.94 for the left hand. In terms of the validity of the scale, the Pearson’s correlation, as measured in relation to the VLT-SV-IT and dynamometer, showed statistically significant results (range for the correlation coefficient of between -0.96 and -0.12, p < 0.05).

The findings of this study support the internal consistency and validity of the JTHFT-IT and its use among a population with cervical SCI as a measure of hand functionality.

The findings of this study support the internal consistency and validity of the JTHFT-IT and its use among a population with cervical SCI as a measure of hand functionality.

An experimental study.

To investigate the changes in somatosensory functions using the combined application of quantitative sensory testing (QST), contact heat-evoked potentials (CHEPs) and laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) studies in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in relation to neuropathic pain (NeP).

Centre for Pain Medicine, Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Nottwil, Switzerland.

Individuals with SCI were compared 12 with NeP (SCI NeP) and 12 without NeP (SCI no NeP). Tools used were QST, CHEPs, LEPs and self-reported questionnaires. Tests were applied to the control (hand) and test (dermatome of altered sensation) sites, and compared to the able-bodied group.

QST, LEPs and CHEPs assessments showed abnormalities both on the test and control sites, which did not differ between the groups with SCI. QST showed higher prevalence of allodynia in SCI NeP. CHEPs and LEPs demonstrated diminished amplitudes in both groups with SCI in comparison to able-bodied individuals. Only reaction time (RT) analysis tosensory functions related to NeP in persons with SCI.

Longitudinal, population-based survey.

To examine determinants of between-person differences in labor market participation of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in Switzerland and their potential importance for policy.

Community.

Longitudinal information on labor market participation (i.e., paid work or not) was obtained from 1198 and 1035 individuals of working-age participating in the 2012 and 2017 SwiSCI community survey, respectively. Determinants of between-person variation in labor market participation were examined using mixed effects logistic regression, controlling for within-person variation. Employment rates were predicted using counterfactual data for modifiable determinants.

The employment rate was 56% for the 2012 and 61% for the 2017 survey. Labor market participation was affected mostly by static (sex, nationality, SCI severity), temporal (age), dynamic (education level, functional independence, chronic pain), and policy-related (general pension, disability pension level) determinants.