Psychometric properties of the Swedish versions of Spinal Cord Independence Measure IV (SCIM IV) and Self-report (SCIM-SR) in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings

TL;DR

This study evaluates the reliability and validity of Swedish versions of two spinal cord injury independence measures in rehabilitation settings.

Contribution

Validates psychometric properties of Swedish SCIM IV and SCIM-SR for use in SCI rehabilitation.

Findings

Swedish SCIM IV and SCIM-SR showed high data completeness and no ceiling/floor effects.

Strong internal consistency and convergent validity with FIMTM were observed.

Respiration and Sphincter Management subscales had lower reliability.

Abstract

Psychometric study.

To evaluate the data completeness, data distribution and ceiling/floor effects, internal consistency and convergent validity of the Swedish versions of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure IV (s-SCIM IV) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure Self-report (s-SCIM-SR).

Swedish inpatient and outpatient spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation.

The translation process was based on established guidelines with researchers, clinicians and consumers. s-SCIM IV and FIMTM assessments were performed by observation and/or interview, s-SCIM-SR through self-report using paper forms.

In total, 101 participants (82% men) were included. There were no missing data for s-SCIM IV and 92% had answered all items in s-SCIM-SR. No ceiling or floor effects were observed. Cronbach´s alpha for the total s-SCIM IV scale was 0.91 (subscales 0.68–0.93) and for the total s-SCIM-SR scale 0.91 (subscales 0.62–0.93), with the lowest alphas for Respiration and Sphincter Management in both outcome measures. s-SCIM IV and s-SCIM-SR correlated strongly with each other and with FIMTM.

Our results support the data completeness, lack of ceiling/floor effects, internal consistency (except the Respiration and Sphincter Management subscale) and convergent validity of the s-SCIM IV and s-SCIM-SR. Based on this initial psychometric testing, these outcome measures can be considered suitable to assess physical independence in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and long-term follow-up after SCI, for both clinical and research purposes. The now available Swedish versions of SCIM will enable a uniform national assessment of SCI-specific physical independence and facilitate research and international collaborations and comparisons.

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