Reproducibility and responsiveness of the Whiplash Disability Questionnaire

This study continued the validation of a Whiplash Specific Disability Questionnaire (WDQ) that was developed from the Neck Disability Index (NDI) using self-reported disabilities in a group of participants experiencing whiplash-associated disorders [J Manipulative Physiol Ther 14 (1991) 409]. Previous research has established the content, construct and face validity and internal consistency of the WDQ. The aim of this study was to establish the short-term and medium-term test–retest reliability and responsiveness of the WDQ. Participants (n=63) receiving physiotherapy treatment for WAD were recruited from 30 private physiotherapy practices in Melbourne, Australia. Each participant completed three WDQ questionnaires over a 1-month period, the first two separated by 24 h. The third questionnaire contained an additional item that asked respondents to rate their perceived change in condition over the month. Reproducibility was determined using an intra-class correlation co-efficient. Responsiveness was assessed via correlation with participant perceived change, the effect size, standardised response mean (SRM) and the responsiveness statistic. Results demonstrated excellent short-term test–retest reliability (ICC 0.96). Reproducibility over 1 month was excellent (ICC 0.93). Correlation between change in WDQ score over 1 month and participant perceived change was r_s=0.64, the effect size was 0.03, the SRM was 0.08 and the responsiveness statistics were 0.90 (participants who improved) and −1.60 (participants who deteriorated). The minimal detectable change of the WDQ was established at 15 points. These results demonstrate that the WDQ has excellent short- and medium-term reproducibility and responsiveness in a population seeking treatment for WAD.     

Confirmatory Factor Analysis,Reliability, and Validity of the Persian Version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire for Iranian People With Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of, and perform confirmatory factor analysis of, the Persian version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) for Iranian people with nonspecific chronic neck pain.MethodsWe performed psychometric testing of the Persian version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Participants were 123 native Persian speakers with chronic neck pain lasting at least 3 months. They were between 18 and 55 years old. The CSQ was administered by self-report. After 5 to 7 days, 94 participants completed the questionnaire in the retest session. Confirmatory factor analysis was done to assess the model fit (χ² test, comparative fit index, and root-mean-square error of approximation) of the 7-factor solution of the Persian version of the CSQ. The Cronbach α was used for internal consistency; intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change for reliability; and nonparametric tests of group differences and correlations for construct validity. To assess the construct validity, we examined the ability of the CSQ to discriminate people based on sex, level of education, and physical activity. Correlations with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, visual analog scale, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Neck Disability Index were also determined to test the validity.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis measures—χ² test, comparative fit index, and root-mean-square error of approximation—were 1.72, 0.76, and 0.07, respectively. Internal consistency was excellent (0.85). All intraclass correlation coefficients were above the acceptable level of 0.70, with the highest reliability obtained for the Praying subscale in both test and retest sessions. The standard error of measurement for the CSQ total score was 2.26, and the minimal detectable change was 6.25. The Cronbach α for the total score and for the subscales ranged from 0.75 to 0.93. Scores of the subscales of the CSQ and other questionnaires showed low correlation except for the physical component of the SF-12. The Catastrophizing subscale had a positive correlation with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and Neck Disability Index, and a negative correlation with the SF-12.ConclusionThe CSQ has acceptable and good measurement properties to assess coping strategies in Iranian people with nonspecific chronic neck pain. It is a reliable measure, though, for validity only The Catastrophizing subscale showed significant correlation with other scales, but the findings should be interpreted with caution because of the limitations of the study.     

腰椎间盘突出症患者疼痛、自我效能和生活质量的相关性研究

目的 调查腰椎间盘突出症患者疼痛、自我效能和生活质量状况,探讨其相互关系.方法 采用简式McGill疼痛问卷、疼痛自我效能量表、SF - 36健康调查表,对100例腰椎间盘突出症患者进行调查.结果 腰椎间盘突出症患者疼痛分级指数为(9.77±4.66)分,视觉模拟量表得分(52.08±14.56)分,现时疼痛强度(2....     

Validity of the neck disability index,Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire,and problem elicitation technique for measuring disability associated with whiplash-associated disorders

The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) were developed to measure self-perceived disability from neck pain, including that which may arise from whiplash injury. However, there is little data specifically concerning their validity for whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the NDI and NPQ as measures of outcome in WAD by comparing them to a patient preference questionnaire, the problem elicitation technique (PET), which identifies problems that are of most importance to the individual patient. A cross-sectional study of 71 patients with varying severity and duration of WAD were recruited from a private physiotherapy practice. All patients completed a standardized self-administered questionnaire that included demographic and clinical details as well as self-perceived pain and severity of symptoms, NDI and NPQ. A trained interviewer administered the PET. Construct validity of the disability measures was examined by determining their correlation with each other and with pain and severity of symptoms by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficients. Content validity of the NDI and NPQ was assessed by comparing the items of both questionnaires to the problems identified by the PET. Participants' mean age was 40.1 years (SD=14.3) and 59 were women (83.1%). Most patients were in WAD category I (n=23, 32.1%), or II (n=42, 59.2%). Mean NDI, NPQ, and PET scores were 40.7 (SD=17.0), 38.7 (SD=15.8), and 160.2 (SD=92.0, range 6.0-509.5), respectively. Correlations between the NDI and PET, NPQ and PET, and NDI and NPQ were r=0.57, 0.56 and 0.88, respectively. The PET identified an average of 7.7 problems per patient (SD=4.2, range 1-17 problems). Problems most commonly identified were work for wages (52.1%), fatigued during the day (50.7%), participation in sports (47.9%), depression (43.7%), drive a car (43.7%), socialize with friends (33.8%), sleep through the night (31.0%), frustration (31.0%), and anger (28.2%). Only three of these problems are included in the NDI (work, driving, and sleeping) and only four are included in the NPQ (work, driving, sleeping, and social activities). While both the NDI and NPQ include some problems that are common in patients with WAD, frequently identified problems, such as emotional and social items are absent. In contrast to the PET, neither instrument captures the full spectrum of disabilities judged to be important by the patient.     

Correlation Between Chronic Neck Pain and Heart Rate Variability Indices at Rest: A Cross-sectional Study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to correlate the heart rate variability (HRV) indices with variables of pain that were experienced by individuals with chronic neck pain.MethodsThis was a blinded cross-sectional study. Individuals with chronic neck pain (n = 15) and healthy participants (n = 15), both sedentary and between 18 and 45 years of age, were included. The neck pain was assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale at rest and during cervical movements, Neck Disability Index, Catastrophic Thoughts about Pain Scale, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The HRV indices (linear and nonlinear) were used for assessment of autonomic function at rest (in supine, sitting, and standing positions).ResultsWe observed significant correlations between the NRS, Neck Disability Index, and Catastrophic Thoughts about Pain Scale with the linear and nonlinear HRV indices (P < .05, r ≥ 0.362), so that the worst HRV indices are associated with conditions of more intense and disabling neck pain.ConclusionThe HRV indices were significantly associated with pain intensity, disabilty, and catastrophizing in individuals with chronic neck pain.     

The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire in patients with leukemia

Aims and objectives. To assess reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Background. Pain is one of the most frequent and significant problems encountered by nurses practice across the world. The Short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire was widely translated and used to assess the pain experience of several types of patients because it combines the properties of the standard McGill Pain Questionnaire but takes substantially less time to administer. Design. The study used psychometric testing to establish reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Methods. A convenience sample of 160 patients with leukaemia in Turkey was used to collect data regarding pain evaluation. The original version of the Short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire, adapted into Turkish, was tested for internal consistency, content validity, construct validity and concurrent validity. Results. Internal consistency was found adequate at both assessments with Cronbach’s α 0·88 for test and 0·91 for retest. For reliability of the total, sensory, affective and evaluative total pain intensity, high intraclass correlations were demonstrated (0·85, 0·84, 0·82 and 0·70, respectively). Correlation of total, sensory and affective score with the numerical rating scale was tested for construct validity demonstrating r = 0·61 (p < 0·01) for test and r = 0·68 (p < 0·01) for retest. Correlation with blood pressure values for concurrent validity was found to be r = 0·78 (p < 0·001) for test and r = 0·73 (p < 0·001) for retest. Conclusion. Turkish version of the Short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire has shown statistically acceptable levels of reliability and validity for pain evaluation in patients with leukaemia. Relevance to clinical practice. This study provided evidence that the Turkish version of the Short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing pain. This scale can be used to assess nursing interventions aimed at decreasing pain and efficacy of the treatment.     

Adaptación cultural y validación de contenido del resultado «Nivel del dolor» de la Clasificación de Resultados de Enfermería

AimsTo translate and culturally adapt the Pain Level outcome to the Spanish context to validate the contents of the Spanish version of the «Pain level» outcome.MethodThe original English version of the «Pain level» outcome was translated into Spanish (twice); then back-translated into English, and all the discrepancies were resolved after consulting with NOC authors. A panel consisting of 21 experts in pain care assessed this culturally adapted Spanish version, in order to score the content validity. In the first step, the experts scored the adequacy of each indicator to the concept «Pain level». In the second round, three new indicators were scored. The Statistical analysis included content validity index (CVI), probability of agreement by chance, and modified kappa statistic.ResultsA Spanish version was developed including label, definition, two groups of indicators, and two measurement scales. This version is fully adapted to the Spanish context and language. A set of 21 indicators (19 translated and two new) was selected, and 4 were deleted (three translated and one new). The CVI-average score was 0.83 and the CVI-universal agreement was 0.05.ConclusionThe Spanish-version of the outcome «Pain level» is semantically and culturally to adapted to a Spanish context and preserves equivalency with the original. Content validation has identified indicators useful for practice. The clinimetric properties (validity and reliability) of the adapted version could be tested in a clinical study with people suffering from acute pain.     

A comparison of four disability scales for Turkish patients with neck pain.

OBJECTIVE: The Neck Disability Index, the Northwick Park Pain Questionnaire, the Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale and the Neck Pain and Disability Scale are widely used scales for assessing neck pain or disability. The aim of this study was to determine the most suitable scale for Turkish patients with neck pain. METHODS: All scales were translated into Turkish, administered to 102 patients with neck pain, then compared with regard to their construct validity, reliability, responsiveness, acceptability and usefulness. RESULTS: The scales were similar in their high validity, reliability standards and sensitivity to change, but differed in their acceptability and usefulness. The item about driving in the Neck Disability Index and the Northwick Park Pain Questionnaire was omitted by 69.6% of patients for reasons other than a neck problem. CONCLUSION: All scales were reliable, valid and sensitive instruments, with similar psychometric properties. The scale that most adequately reflects the patient should be chosen.     

A new clinical test for cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility: "the fly"

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and discriminative ability of a new test designed to detect accuracy of neck movements. DESIGN: Repeated-measures. Case-control. SETTING: University musculoskeletal research clinic in Iceland. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty women (mean age +/- standard deviation [SD], 30.8+/-9.1 y; range, 18-49 y) with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) grades I and II (duration, 6 mo-6 y), with current pain score on a visual analog scale of 46.8+/-21.8, and a disability score on the Northwick Park Neck Pain Disability Index of 45%+/-14%. Twenty asymptomatic women (mean age +/- SD, 29.3+/-8.6 y; range, 18-48 y) with no history of whiplash or insidious onset neck pain served as controls. INTERVENTION: A slowly moving object appeared on a computer screen and traced an unpredictable movement path that the subjects were required to follow by moving their heads. Three randomly ordered movement patterns were tested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: A new software program connected to a 3Space Fastrak system was used to measure the mean absolute error (in millimeters) of 3 trials in each movement pattern. RESULTS: The mean differences (+/-2 SD) between days 1 and 2 were.01+/-.64 mm for the asymptomatic group and.33+/-1.80 mm for the WAD group. The between-day intraclass correlation coefficients were between.60 and.77 for the asymptomatic group and.79 and.86 for the WAD group. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between groups (P=.02). The Tukey post hoc test showed significant between-group differences for each movement pattern (P相似文献   

Reliability and Responsiveness of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Neck Disability to Physical Therapy: Comparison of the Copenhagen,Northwick Park,and Neck Bournemouth Questionnaires and the Neck Disability Index

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify the external and internal reliability and responsiveness of the validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of neck pain to a standardized regimen of physiotherapy administered acutely after mild whiplash injury using the clinically significant improvement components of the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) as the outcome measure.MethodsEighty-six patients with neck pain alone were referred for physiotherapy within 2 weeks of whiplash injury. They completed the Copenhagen, Northwick Park (NP), and Neck Bournemouth (NBQ) questionnaires and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) before starting and after treatment when they also completed the PGIC. Treatment comprised deep soft tissue massage, myofascial releases, muscle energy techniques, joint articulation and manipulation techniques, and a home exercise program. The duration of treatment was between 3 and 6 weeks. A PGIC of 6 or 7 was considered to be clinically significant improvement.ResultsThe external reliability of the PROMs was >0.7 and internal >0.87. All components of the PROMs contributed to the final score except headache in the Copenhagen and upper-limb dysesthesia in the NP. The most reliable questionnaire was the NBQ, which was significantly more responsive than the Copenhagen (P = .008). The NBQ was slightly more responsive than the NDI and NP. The NBQ and NDI were successfully completed more frequently than the NP and Copenhagen.ConclusionThe NP, NDI, and NBQ are all reliable and responsive measures of change after physiotherapy for neck pain after acute whiplash injury.     

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Nepali Version of the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and assess the reliability and validity of the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ) in pregnant Nepalese women.MethodsThe cross-cultural adaptation process was conducted according to the Guillemin guidelines. Reliability and validity were assessed using cross-sectional design. The participants responded to questionnaires of sociodemographics, the Nepali version of the PGQ, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale, the 5-item version of the Edinburgh Depression Scale, and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. The test–retest reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient and smallest detectable change. Construct validity was assessed by testing 9 a priori hypotheses that examine correlations between the PGQ activity and symptom subscales, and also among the PGQ subscales and Oswestry Disability Index, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Patient-Specific Functional Scale, and 5-item version of the Edinburgh Depression Scale. Spearman and Pearson's correlation were used to assess the correlations.ResultsA sample of 111 pregnant women were included in the study. The Cronbach's alpha for the Nepali version of the total PGQ was good (α = 0.83), and the test–retest reliability was acceptable (ICC_2.1, 0.72) with a measurement error of SDC_95% 18.6 points. Seven of the 9 hypotheses found support, which confirms acceptable construct validity of the Nepali PGQ.ConclusionThe Nepali version of the PGQ is a reliable and valid tool for assessing pelvic girdle pain in pregnant Nepalese women.     

Assessment of pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain: reliability and construct validity of the Turkish version of the neck pain and disability scale

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to test whether a Turkish version of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale retains its reliability and validity of the original English version. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with chronic neck pain were enrolled in the study. The Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS), the Pain Disability Index (PDI) and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were filled by all subjects. Reliability was determined by internal consistency. Internal consistency was measured by calculating Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation. Validity was examined by correlating the NPDS scores to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), PDI and HADS scores. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha value for NPDS was found to be 0.86 and this was statistically significant (p<0.0001). The item-total correlations of NPDS varied between 0.08 and 0.69. The cross-sectional construct validity coefficients were 0.51 for PDI, 0.45 for VAS, 0.35 and 0.33 for Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales. CONCLUSION: Despite its major limitations, our results seem to support previous findings of the English and French versions of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale, indicating that this functional scale is valid and reliable.     

Quality of life and persistence of COVID-19 symptoms 90 days after hospital discharge

ObjectiveWe aimed to describe the persistence of symptoms in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and quality of life (QoL) among patients 90 days after their discharge from the hospital for infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to determine differences in QoL domains concerning the absence or presence of persistent symptoms.MethodsTo measure QoL, we used a validated Spanish version of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).ResultsWe included 141 patients. Ninety days after discharge, COVID-19 symptoms persisted in 107 patients (75.9%), with fatigue (55.3%) and joint pain (46.8%) being the most frequent. According to the SF-36, the role-physical score was the dimension with the lowest values (median score, 25; interquartile range, 0–75). Patients with joint pain, fatigue, and dyspnea had lower scores than patients without those symptoms, with 10 of the 13 evaluated SF-36 scales showing lower levels.ConclusionNinety days after hospital discharge from COVID-19 reference centers, most patients had persistent symptoms and had lower SF-36 scores than patients without symptoms. It is important to follow-up patients discharged from the hospital after SARS-CoV-2 infection, ideally through a post-COVID-19 health care clinic and rehabilitation program, to improve QoL in these patients.     

Validation of a French version of Roland–Morris questionnaire in chronic low back pain patients

ObjectiveTo validate a French version of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).Material and methodsFifty-eight patients due to participate in a functional rehabilitation programme for chronic low back pain were included prospectively. The RMDQ, the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) and the “daily activities” subscale of the Dallas Pain Questionnaire (DPQ) were administered. The RMDQ was assessed for internal consistency, reliability, criterion validity and sensitivity to change.ResultsCronbach's alpha for the RMDQ was 0.84. The intraclass correlation coefficient [95% confidence interval] was 0.89 [0.83–0.93]. The RMDQ score was correlated with the QBPDS score (r = 0.713) and the DPQ's “daily activities” subscore (r = 0.514). The results of assessments before and after functional rehabilitation showed that the French version of the RMDQ had very high sensitivity to change (effect size: 1.49) and was more sensitive than the QBPDS and the DPQ's “daily activities” subscore.ConclusionsOur study validated the French version of the RMDQ in patients suffering from chronic low back pain. Furthermore, we highlighted the questionnaire's very high sensitivity to change.     

Relationship Between Intensity of Neck Pain and Disability and Shoulder Pain and Disability in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to verify a possible relationship between shoulder disability and shoulder pain intensity and the variables related to cervical-spine dysfunction, and determine which of these can differentiate moderate to severe shoulder pain (>4 on a numerical rating scale [NRS]) from mild shoulder pain (≤4 on the NRS) in individuals with subacromial impingement symptoms.MethodsOne hundred and forty volunteers with shoulder pain were evaluated. Demographic information and variables related to the shoulder and neck were collected. Self-reported pain and disability of the shoulder and cervical spine were measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaires, respectively. An NRS was used to measure pain in the shoulder and cervical spine. A purposeful modeling strategy was used to determine the best model to predict shoulder disability and shoulder pain (dependent variables). Multiple logistic regression analysis followed by receiver operating curve analysis was used to determine which variables better differentiated moderate to severe shoulder pain from mild shoulder pain.ResultsVariables such as Neck Disability Index (NDI) score (β = 1.09, P = .00) and age (β = −0.19, P = .03) were associated with the total SPADI score. Neck pain was significantly associated with shoulder pain (β = 0.40, P = .00). The combination of variables predicting moderate to severe shoulder pain was total SPADI score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15, P = .003), neck pain (OR = 3.20, P = .04), and age (OR = 1.01, P = .05).ConclusionOur results demonstrate the important connection between shoulder- and neck-related symptoms in individuals with subacromial impingement symptoms.     

Changes in pain, disability, and muscle activation patterns in chronic whiplash patients after ambulant myofeedback training

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate changes in pain, disability, and muscle activation patterns in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) after 4 weeks of myofeedback training. METHODS: Eleven WAD patients received ambulatory myofeedback training, during which upper trapezius muscle activation and relaxation were continuously recorded and processed for 4 weeks. Feedback was provided when muscle relaxation was insufficient. Pain in neck, shoulders, and upper back (Visual Analogue Scale), disability (Neck Disability Index), and muscle activation patterns during rest, typing, and stress tasks (surface electromyography) were assessed before and after the 4 weeks of training. RESULTS: Pain intensity decreased after 4 weeks of training. Clinically relevant changes were found with regard to pain in the neck and upper back region (55% of the patients), right shoulder (64%), and left shoulder (18%). A trend for decreased disability was found which was clinically relevant in 36% of the patients. A remarkable reduction was found in the Neck Disability Index items concerning headache and lifting weights. Overall, muscle activation was lower and muscle relaxation was higher after the training period with the largest differences during rest. Clinically relevant changes in surface electromyography parameters were found in a minority of patients. CONCLUSION: Four weeks of ambulant training may be beneficial in reducing pain and disability levels and normalizing muscle activation patterns in chronic WAD patients. A randomized-controlled study is recommended to further explore the effects of myofeedback training.     

Stabilization exercises combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundOne proposed mechanism of chronic low back pain might be paraspinal muscle impairment. Commonly, this impairment is treated with stabilization exercises. However, the effect size of stabilization exercises has been previously reported to be small.DesignRandomized controlled trial.ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical benefit of using neuromuscular electrical stimulation as a supplement to stabilization exercises in patients with chronic low back pain.MethodsThirty participants with chronic low back pain were randomized into a stabilization exercise only group (n = 15) or a stabilization exercise plus neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (n = 15). The stabilization exercises included abdominal, side support, and quadruped exercises. The neuromuscular electrical stimulation was applied to the lumbar paraspinal muscles for 20 min each session. Both groups received their respective interventions twice a week for 6 weeks. Participant eligibility for inclusion was age between 18 and 60 years, body mass index ≤34, chronic low back pain ≥3 months, Numeric Pain Rating Scale ≥3, Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score ≥20 and ability to understand English. Outcome measurements were self-reported neuromuscular electrical stimulation tolerability scale, Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and paraspinal muscle strength.ResultsThe neuromuscular electrical stimulation was reported to be tolerable. There were no significant between-group differences on any of the outcome measures (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the paraspinal muscles was reported to be tolerable. Supplementing stabilization exercises with neuromuscular electrical stimulation did not offer any additional clinical benefit for the chronic low back pain patients.     

The Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale: reliability and validity in Spanish patients with vestibular disorders

Purpose: To examine the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC-S), and its ability to discriminate between patients with and without a history of falls among a Spanish population with vestibular disorders. Method: A total of 84 participants completed the ABC-S. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability and construct validity (exploratory factor analysis) were analysed. Concurrent validity was evaluated using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). To determine the accuracy of the ABC total score in discriminating patients with and without a history of falls, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed. Results: The ABC-S showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α?=?0.916) and substantial test–retest reliability (ICC?=?0.86, 95% CI: 0.74–0.93), with standard error and minimal detectable change values of 8.64 and 16.94, respectively. Factor analyses suggested a three-factor structure (explained variance was 62.24%). The ABC total score significantly correlated with the physical component summary score of the SF-12 and with the DHI-P, DHI-E, DHI-F and DHI total scores (p?p?Conclusions: The ABC-S is a valid and reliable instrument, suitable to assess balance confidence in Spanish patients with vestibular disorders.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The Spanish version of the ABC scale is a valid and reliable measure of balance confidence in patients with vestibular disorders.

• In persons with vestibular disorders, the Spanish version of the ABC scale has shown the ability to discriminate between patients with and without a history of falls in the last year.