Linguistic validation and reliability properties are weak investigated of most dementia-specific quality of life measurements—a systematic review

ObjectiveFor people with dementia, the concept of quality of life (Qol) reflects the disease's impact on the whole person. Thus, Qol is an increasingly used outcome measure in dementia research. This systematic review was performed to identify available dementia-specific Qol measurements and to assess the quality of linguistic validations and reliability studies of these measurements (PROSPERO 2013: CRD42014008725).Study Design and SettingThe MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Methodology Register databases were systematically searched without any date restrictions. Forward and backward citation tracking were performed on the basis of selected articles.ResultsA total of 70 articles addressing 19 dementia-specific Qol measurements were identified; nine measurements were adapted to nonorigin countries. The quality of the linguistic validations varied from insufficient to good. Internal consistency was the most frequently tested reliability property. Most of the reliability studies lacked internal validity.ConclusionQol measurements for dementia are insufficiently linguistic validated and not well tested for reliability. None of the identified measurements can be recommended without further research. The application of international guidelines and quality criteria is strongly recommended for the performance of linguistic validations and reliability studies of dementia-specific Qol measurements.     

Assessing the Reliability of Ultrasound Imaging to Examine Peripheral Nerve Excursion: A Systematic Literature Review

Ultrasound imaging (USI) is gaining popularity as a tool for assessing nerve excursion and is becoming an important tool for the assessment and management of entrapment neuropathies. This systematic review aimed to identify current methods and report on the reliability of using USI to examine nerve excursion and identify the level of evidence supporting the reliability of this technique. A systematic search of five electronic databases identified studies assessing the reliability of using USI to examine nerve excursion. Two independent reviewers critically appraised and assessed the methodological quality of the identified articles. Eighteen studies met the eligibility criteria. The majority of studies were of “moderate” or “high” methodological quality. The overall analysis indicated a “strong” level of evidence of moderate to high reliability of using USI to assess nerve excursion. Further reliability studies with consistency of reporting are required to further strengthen the level of evidence.     

The Sensational Hand: Clinical Assessment after Nerve Repair

Following the transection and repair of major nerve trunks in the forearm, the functional outcome is influenced by mechanisms in the peripheral, as well as in the central nervous system. In the present thesis the interest is focused on assessment of the outcome after nerve repair, central nervous factors influencing the outcome, and sense substitution to compensate for sensory loss. A new model instrument for routine documentation of the outcome after repair of a peripheral nerve is identified. The model includes assessments reflecting sensory, motor and pain/discomfort domains. Investigations of frequently used assessment instruments led to the construction and evaluation of a new test instrument for assessment of discriminative sensibility (tactile gnosis) to fit in the model. The summarised outcome, calculated from the model instrument and with a numerical scoring system, conforms well with the patient's opinion on the influence on activities of daily living resulting from the nerve injury, and demonstrates good reliability and validity. A reference interval for the outcome is presented, with the estimated 95% predicted values for the outcome up to five years after the nerve repair. Brain plasticity is a factor sensibility - tactile gnosis - in the adaptive process after a nerve injury, when the mind has to interpret new signal patterns, when objects are touched. For better understanding of the sensory outcome after nerve repair, central nervous factors were examined. Specific cognitive capacities, such as verbal learning and visuo-spatial logic capacity could be identified as being of importance for recovery of tactile gnosis. For patients with temporary or permanent sensory loss, a new principle for artificial sensibility based on sense substitution is presented. The hearing sense substitutes the sense of touch. The resemblance in perceptual experience between sound and touch is bridged by the stereophonic friction sound generated by touching objects, which is then amplified and transmitted to earphones. The delicate capacity of the sense of hearing to discriminate between the complex pattern of frequencies makes it reasonable to assume that hearing is able to take over functions normally devoted to touch. This is demonstrated in the thesis.     

Adolescent Stress Questionnaire: Reliability and validity of the Greek version and its description in a sample of high school (lyceum) students

Adolescence is a crucial phase of human life characterized by enhanced exposure and vulnerability to various stressful stimuli. The Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ) is a useful measure to evaluate possible sources of stressors affecting the adolescent equilibrium. The present study examines the scientific properties of the Greek version of ASQ to measure perceived stress among 250 Greek adolescents. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results showed a good fit of the original structure of ASQ to the observed data in the Greek sample. A good internal reliability was also confirmed by high Cronbach's alpha values. In line with previous research, girls reported more stress than boys. Overall, the Greek ASQ is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating adolescent stress.     

第1年外科住院医师客观结构化临床考试的实施及评价

目的 探讨第1年外科住院医师采用客观结构化临床考试进行年终考核的效能、合理性，根据考试结果改进培训和考试的形式及内容。 方法 31名第1年外科住院医师参与考核。考核共设病例分析、污染伤口换药、石膏固定术、腹腔镜模拟器基础技能、不规则创面清创缝合术等5站，各站均采用百分制，每站考核15分钟。考后即刻问卷调查住院医师对此次考核的意见和看法，共发放调查问卷31份，回收31份。测算各考站的难度、区分度、信度，考站间进行相关性分析。 结果 OSCE平均成绩74.66±4.39，OSCE总体难度为0.747，区分度为0.578，信度为0.402。第1站难度最低，第5站难度最大。各站的区分度均＞0.400。第2、4站信度偏低。1、2站间和1、4站间存在中等程度相关，其余各站间无明显相关性。住院医师的问卷调查显示第4、5站被认为最难，第2站被认为最简单，第4站对临床最有帮助，考核中住院医师第2站表现最好，第5站表现最差。结论 客观结构化临床考试能够有效评价住院医师培训效果。模拟复杂临床情景的考题更能考核出住院医师的实际临床能力。考后还需要客观评价考核效能，并根据住院医师的主观评价动态调整培训内容和考核形式。     

Developing the Intergenerational Community Survey for older adults: Assessing neighborhood environments,social and physical activities,and health

Many survey instruments have been developed to assess neighborhood environments for their impacts on people's health and daily activities. However, no instruments are available for capturing social interactions with different age groups among older populations. This study introduces a four-phase process of developing a comprehensive Intergenerational Community Survey (ICS) covering six domains: (1) physical activities, walking, and sedentary activities; (2) mental health and quality of life; (3) social activities (e.g. intergenerational and peer interactions) in and outside the neighborhood; (4) neighborhood environments (e.g. safety, streets and sidewalks); (5) supportive services or programs (e.g. intergenerational programs, transportation services); and (6) personal characteristics. Test-retest reliability assessments among 38 community-dwelling older adults (aged 65+) showed fair to good reliability results. ICS can serve as a useful tool to facilitate future research on intergenerational communities and interactions for older adults.     

疼痛行为量表用于评估危重症机械通气患者疼痛状况的信效度研究

目的 探讨疼痛行为量表(BPS)对危重症机械通气患者疼痛评估的适用性。方法 随机选取2018年1月至2019年3月在本院进行机械通气治疗的90例危重症患者为研究对象,进行中文版GPS量表的疼痛自我评估。量表的适用性评价包括量表的项目分析、信度和效度评价。结果 项目分析结果显示,高分组与低分组在各项目评分比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。各项目得分与BPS总分均呈高度相关(P0.05)。总问卷的Chronbach′sα系数为0.902。各条目I-CVI值均大于0.78,S-CVI值为0.92(0.8)。在区分效度的评价方面,患者更换体位时的BPS评分明显高于测量体温时(P0.05)。结论中文版GPS量表信效度良好,在危重症机械通气患者的疼痛评估中具有较好的适用性。     

The reliability of shoulder range of motion measures in competitive swimmers

ObjectivesInvestigate reliability of shoulder internal and external rotation (IR, ER), abduction in internal rotation (ABIR) and combined elevation (CE) range of motion tests in competitive swimmers.DesignWithin participants, inter- and intra-examiner reliability.SettingPhysiotherapy Department, University of Melbourne, Australia.Participants17 competitive swimmers (aged 12–24 years) who participate in at least 5 weekly swimming sessions and two physiotherapy examiners.Main outcome measuresInter- and intra-examiner reliability of IR, ER, ABIR and CE.ResultsGood to excellent intra-examiner reliability across tests (ICCs: 0.85–0.96) with standard error of measurement (SEM)and minimal detectable change at 90% confidence interval (MDC₉₀) ranging from 2 to 5, and 5–12°, respectively. Good to excellent inter-examiner reliability for all tests (ICCs: 0.77–0.94) except left IR (ICC: 0.65). Inter-examiner SEM and MDC₉₀ ranged from 2 to 5° and 5–12°, respectively.ConclusionShoulder range of motion tests were reliable when applied by the same examiner. Inter-examiner reliability was acceptable for all tests except IR, which was affected by inconsistent manual scapula stabilisation between examiners.