Health Constructs and Measurement

I. Health Outcomes

 

Mental Health- (Depression, Anxiety, etc.)

Stress

Mood

Secondary and Chronic Conditions

General Health/ Perceived Health

Pain

Mobility

Role limitations (physical and emotional)

Vitality

Physical Functioning

Social Functioning

Use of Health Care

Weight and Body Composition

Quality of Life

Sleeping Problems/ Disturbance

Overall Health

Return to Measures List

Return to Table of Contents

 

Mental Health- (Depression, Anxiety, etc.)

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale- 10 item version

CES-D 10

 

Andresen, Malmgren, Carter, & Patrick, (1994). Screening for depression in well older adults: Evaluation of a short form of the CES-D. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 10 (2), 77-84.

10-item screening questionnaire for “depressive symptoms”. Measures severity of depression. Shortened version of 20-item CES-D).

Does not diagnose depression.

No subscales; no established cutoff scores, although 8 and 10 have been used. Generally a cutoff of 10 is used for screening purposes.

 

 (Cutoff of 16 indicates depressive symptoms in the original CES-D, which was validated using DSM-III criteria)

Past week;

Self-administered questionnaire.

Header: “How often have you felt this way during the last week

10 items, Ordinal scale; Range of scale: 0-3

(0= rarely or none of time,

1= some or little (1-2 days)

2=occas/ mod (3-4 days)

3= most of time (5-7 days)

Two items (#5, 8) are positive and therefore reverse-scored

Only two sets of variables, (positive and negative affect) in CESD-10; original CES-D had 4 factors (depressed affect, positive affect, somatic, and interpersonal).

Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating higher degree of depressive symptoms.

N= 1,206 65 yrs, x= 72, from random sample of 4,250 GHC insurance enrollees who were 65 yrs; individuals with significant disabilities or major physical or psychosocial problems were excluded before study. Slightly higher SES than avg in King Co., Washington (Seattle). A retest sample of n=99 was randomly selected.

Compared baseline & retest responses with 10 items common to both instruments. Test-retest item correlation ranged from r=.21 to r=.84, with overall score correlation of r=.71 (comparable to 20-item CES-D). Also, looked at changes in classification btw 2 administrations. Of CESD-10: at ≥8, 1 disag. Btw admins, at ≥10, 1 disag. Tested stability by comparing baseline & 12-mth scores; r=.59 (p<.01) for n=1,006

Using cutoff of 8 results in 10 false pos, ĸ=.75, using cutoff of 10 results in one false negative, ĸ=.97, compared to 20-item CES-D.

Using a cutoff of ≥ 8 resulted in estimate of overall prevalence of 19.3% (similar to retest pts’ prevalence of 19.8% for 20-item CES-D); however, using ≥10 yielded prevalence estimate of only 11.7%.

PTs were also asked the original CES-D and questions that assessed self-reported health status, physical pain, & stress. Found correlt. btw CESD-10 and other measures varied as predicted; stress strongly assoc with depress (r=.43), positive affect inverse related (r=.63). Correl. of 10 items to total scores ranged from r=.45 to r=.71 for retest, and r=.46 to r=.68 for baseline sample of 1,206. 5 item accounted for 89% of variance. Factor analysis yielded 2 sets of variables (positive affect & negative affect).

 

Disability populations used:

The CES-D 10 is used extensively with disabled populations. Researchers at the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) used this scale in several studies, including Healthy Aging (testing a health promotion intervention for women with disabilities over the age of 45, and Stress Self-Management (used in screen as part of criteria for establishing stress level). Stuifbergen, Seraphine, and Roberts (2000) also have used this scale in a sample of persons with multiple sclerosis in a study titled Health Promotion and Quality of Life in Chronic Illness.  Harrison and Stuifbergen (2001) used this scale in a study of disability, social support, and depressive symptoms in 201 mothers with multiple sclerosis; they reported the reliability of the CES-D 10 as .85 for this study. Mean scores in this sample were reported as 10.83 with a standard deviation of 6.4. Ward (1994) used the CES-D-20 in a longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but excluded 4 items that might have been more related to the impact of RA than to depression.

Harrison, T., Stuifbergen, A., (2001). Disability, social support, and concern for children: Depression in mothers with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 31 (4), 444-453.

Stuifbergen, A., Seraphine, A., & Roberts, G., (2000). An explanatory model of health promotion and quality of life in chronic illness. Nursing Research, 49 (3), 122-129.

Ward, M.M. (1994). Are patient self-report measures of arthritis activity confounded by mood? A longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The Journal of Rheumatology, 21 (6), 1046-1050.

 

Beck Depression Inventory

(BDI-IA)

(Original Scale)

 

 

Past week, self-administered

21-item measure of depressive severity. Respondents rate depressive symptoms experienced during the past two weeks on a 4-point scale from 0 to 3. Scores are summated (range: 0 to 63).

 

Coefficient alphas for psychiatric patients has been reported as ranging from .76 to .95. The alphas for non-psychiatric populations is between (.73 and .92). Test-retest reliability is reported as adequate but variable.

Coefficient alpha =.86.

 

Beck Depression Inventory - Revised

(BDI-II)

 

Beck, A.T., Steer, R.AQ., and Brown, G.K., (1996). Manual for Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio (TX): Psychological Corporation.

 

Dozois, D.J., Dobson, K.S., & Ahnberg, J.L., (1998). A psychometric evaluation of the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Psychological Assessment, 10 (2), 83-89.

 

Measures presence and severity of depression in psychiatric patients and normal populations. Revised the BDI-IA to reflect the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorders in the DSM-IV.

Cognitive, Affective, and neurovegetative symptoms of depression.

It has been suggested that the Cognitive subscale may be especially useful in populations in which somatic complaints may be attributable to medical conditions rather than to depression.

Past two weeks, interviewer administered or self-report.

21-item scale that measures the severity of self-reported depression Respondents rate depressive symptoms experienced during the past two weeks on a 4-point scale from 0 to 3. Scores are summated (range: 0 to 63).

1,022 undergraduate psychology students (67% female, average age = 21 years).

The BDI-II has demonstrated high internal consistency among college students (alpha = .93), and among outpatients (alpha = .92). Two subscales, Cognitive and Noncognitive, have shown adequate internal consistency (alphas > .80).

The BDI-II has been shown to have adequate content and factorial validity and diagnostic discrimination. Factor analyses revealed that a 2-factor solution accounted for a cumulative 41% and 46% of the common variance in BDI and BDI-II responses, respectively.

Disability populations used

The Original BDI has been validated in people with chronic pain  and multiple sclerosis (Aikens, et al., 1998). The BDI-II has been used with women with physical disabilities in studies conducted by researchers at the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD), in studies of the outcome of a self-management program for people with chronic arthritis (Holman, Mazonson, and Lorig, 1989, Lorig et al., 1989), and in women with fibromyalgia (Hassett, Cone, Patella, & Sigal, 2000) .

 

Aikens, J.E., Reinecke, M.A., Pliskin, N.H., et al. (1998). Assessing depressive symptoms in multiple sclerosis: Is it necessary to omit items from the original Beck Depression Inventory? Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 22 (2), 127-142.

Hassett, A.L., Cone, J.D., Patella, S.J., and Sigal, L.H., (2000). The role of catastrophizing in the pain and depression of women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 42 (11), 2493-2500.

Holman, H., Mazonson, P., and Lorig, K., (1989). Health education for self-management has significant early and sustained benefits in chronic arthritis. Transactions of the Association of American Physicians, 102, 204-298.

Lorig, K., Chastain, R.L., Ung, E., Shoor, S., and Holman, H., (1989). Development and evaluation of a scale to measure perceived self-efficacy in people with arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 32 (1), 37-44.

 

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 

(PHQ-9)

Diagnostic measure of the presence and severity of depression

 

 

Shown to be sensitive to change over time, a 50% reduction in the baseline of high PHQ-9 scores or an outcome score of less than 10 has been proposed as a good treatment response.

 

 

Has been found to show strong correlations with other measures of depression severity.  Criterion validity, construct validity, and external validity have been established.  A single cutpoint of 12 or greater has been found to best discriminate the likelihood of major depression.

Disability populations used:

The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) has used the PHQ-9 in studies of stress and depression in women with physical disabilities.

 

 

Brief Symptom Inventory

(BSI)

 

Boulet, J., and Boss, M.W. (1991). Reliability and validity of the Brief Symptom Inventory. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 3 (3), 433-437.

 

Measures levels of psychopathology. A shortened version of the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R). Items describe a variety of problems and complaints associated with psychopathology. Three global indexes can be calculated from the raw scores: General Severity Index (GSI), Positive Symptom Total (PST), and Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI).

Nine dimensions:

Somatization (SOM), 7 items

Obsessive-Compulsive (OC), 6 items

Interpersonal Sensitivity (INT), 4 items

Depression (DEP), 6 items

Anxiety (ANX), 6 items
Hostility (HOS), 5 items

Phobic Anxiety (PHOB), 5 items

Paranoid Ideation (PAR), 5 items

Psychoticism (PSY), 5 items

Self-administered or interviewer-administered, past week. Header: “How much have you been bothered or distressed by the following in the past 7 days including today”.

53 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0= not at all to 4= extremely).

501 male psychiatric inpatients and outpatients; all subjects had reportedly been involved with some form of deviant sexual activity that required clinical assessment or intervention (57% was diagnosed with paraphilic disorders). Mean age was 34 years, mean number of years of education was 10.22. No data on ethnicity was collected.

Test-retest values ranged from low of .68 (SOM) to a high of .91 (PHOB). Stability coefficient of the Global Severity Index (GSI) was .90. Cronbach’s alpha used to establish internal reliability (in a separate study using sample of 1,002 psychiatric outpatients); alpha ranged from low of .71 (PSY) to high of .85 (DEP). Using the 501 male psychiatric patient sample, coefficients alpha ranged from .75 (PSY) to .89 (DEP).

Reliability for parent scales (SCL-90 and SCL-90-R) has also been documented in several studies.

The MMPI was used to assess convergent validity of the BSI. Some BSI scales correlated with the MMPI (e.g. DEP and the MMPI Depression Scale, PAR and MMPI Paranoia Scale, PSY and MMPI Schizophrenia, and SOM and MMPI Hypochondriasis Scale). However, the BSI had poor discriminant validity. Each of the BSI scales also correlated with almost all of the MMPI scales (including those that would assumedly be unrelated), and there were high intercorrelations among the nine BSI scales (ranging from .55 to .80). Each of the nine subscales also correlated with the total score for the test (r=.73 to .91).

Furthermore, some items of a scale correlated more highly with another dimension (e.g. INT and PSY). DEP scale demonstrated construct validity, with all items for DEP correlated most highly with the total score for DEP.

Validity for SCL-90 and SCL-90-R has been documented in other studies, and BSI is reported to highly correlate with the SCL-90.

Disability populations used:

The BSI has been used in research of various disability populations, including with individuals with spinal cord injury (Tate, Forcheimer, Maynard, Dikjers, 1994), people with post-polio syndrome (Tate, Forcheimer, Kirsch, et al., 1993, Tate, Kirsch, Maynard, et al., 1994), and patients with traumatic brain injury (Slaughter, Johnstone, Petroski, and Flax, 1999); the scale has also been tested in patients with chronic pain (Geisser, Perna, Kirsch, and Bachman, 1998) and in cancer survivors (Cella and Tross, 1986).

Cella, D.E., and Tross, S., (1986). Psychological adjustment to survival from Hodgkin’s disease. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 616-622.

Geisser, M.E., Perna, R., Kirsch, N.L., and Bachman, J.E., (1998). Classification of chronic pain patients with the Brief Symptom Inventory: Patient characteristics of cluster profiles. Rehabilitation Psychology, 43 (4), 313-326.

Slaughter, J., Johnstone, G., Petroski, G., and Flax, J., (1999). The usefulness of the Brief Symptom Inventory in the neuropsychological evaluation of traumatic brain injury. Brain Injury, 13 (2), 125-130.

Tate, D.G., Forchheimer, M., Kirsch, N., et al., (1993). Prevalence and associated features of depression and psychological distress in polio survivors. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 74(10), 1056-60.

Tate, D., Forchheimer, M., Maynard, F., Dijkers, M., (1994). Predicting depression and psychological distress in persons with spinal cord injury based on indicators of handicap. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 73 (3), 175-183.

Tate, D., Kirsch, N., Maynard, F., et al., (1994). Coping with the late effects: Differences between depressed and nondepressed polio survivors. American Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, 73(1), 27-35.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Healthy Survey

(SF-36), Mental Health Index subscale

 

Ware, J.E. & Sherbourne, C.D. (1992). The MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36): Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30 (6), 473-483.

Measures general mental health (psychological distress and well-being). Designed for clinical practice & research, health policy eval, and general population surveys.

One subscale of the SF-36. Mental Health Index (MHI) (5 items, 26 levels).

 

Uses the uncut from the MOS long-form study or the SF-20.

Self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older or for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by phone (different forms are required for each). Timing is present or current health.

Ordinal scales (Likert), summated ratings. Lower scores indicates greater limitations, interference, pain, fatigue, and health. E.g. High score on physical functioning indicates “able to perform all types of physical activities including the most vigorous without limitations due to health”. 

 

Tested on a variety of patient populations.

 

Used corresponding full-length MOS scale as the criterion in testing.

MHI- full scale of the Mental Health Index used in SF-21 retained; includes items from each of the 4 major mental health dimensions (anxiety, depression, loss of behavioral or emotional control, and psychological well-being). Simple sum of 5 items correlates 0.95 with full-length 38 item MHI used in MOS-LF, and 0.93 on cross-validation with data on Health Insurance Experiment (most widely-tested of the 8 subscales).

Disability populations used:

Used extensively with a variety of populations with disabilities. The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) has used the SF-36 Mental Health Subscale in studies of stress and depression in women with physical disabilities.

 

 

General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28)

 

Goldberg, D. & Williams, P. (1988). A User’s Guide to the General Health Questionnaire. Windsor: NFER-Nelson.

 

Measures symptoms of anxiety and depression

Subscales include:

Anxiety

Depression

 

Self-administered

28-items, Likert scoring (1-4). Summated scores by subscales.

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Smedstad, Kvien, Moum, and Vaglum (1995) used the Life Event Interview in a study of how life events, psychosocial factors, and demographic variables are related to changes in functional disability in people with early rheumatoid arthritis.

Smedstad, L.M., Kvien, T.K., Moum, T., and Vaglum, P. (1995). Life events, psychosocial factors, and demographic variables in early rheumatoid arthritis: Relations to one-year changes in functional disability. The Journal of Rheumatology, 22 (12), 2218-2225.

 

Mental Health Inventory

(MHI)

 

Veit, C.T., and Ware, J.E. Jr. (1983). The structure of psychological distress and well-being in general populations. Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology (51), 730-742.

Measures psychological distress.

Subscales include:

Depression (10 items)

Anxiety (9 items)

Self-report.

6 point scales for all items but one (5 point scale).

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Zautra, Hoffman, Matt, et al.,(1998) used the depression and anxiety subscales of the MHI in a study of stress in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Internal consistency reliability was reported as .95  (depression) and .94 (anxiety), as estimated from baseline in this sample. Other research (Zautra, Okun, Robinson, et al., 1989, Zautra, Burleson, Matt, et al., 1994, Manne & Zautra, 1989) has validated the scale for use with people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Zautra, A.J., Hoffman, J.M., Matt, K.S., et al., (1998). An examination of individual differences in the relationship between interpersonal stress and disease activity among women with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care and Research, 11 (4), 271-279.

Zautra, A., Okun, M., Robinson,S., et al., (1989). Life stress and lymphocyte alterations among rheumatoid arthritis patients. Health Psychology, 8, 1-14.

Zautra, A., Burleson, M., Matt, K., et al., (1994). Interpersonal stress and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Health Psychology, 13, 139-148.

Manne, S.L. & Zautra, A.J. (1989). Spouse criticism and support: their association with coping and adjustment to rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 608-617.

 

Self-Control Questionnaire (SCQ)

 

Fuchs, C.Z., Rehm, L.P., (1977). A self-control behavior therapy program for depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 45,-206.

 

 

40 items assessing attitudes and beliefs about self-control and cognitions related to depression.

 

 

40 items scored on a 5-point scale.

People with chronic illnesses and nondisabled women.

Good internal consistency with alphas ranging from .82-.88, and test-retest correlation of .86.

 

Disability populations used:

The SCQ has been used by researchers at the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities in studies of depression in women with physical disabilities.

 

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Stress

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Perceived Stress Scale

(PSS)

 

Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24 (December), 385 -396.

Measures a global level of perceived stress, not merely the presence of stressful life events.

Measures the degree to which respondents find their lives to be unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloading over the previous week.

none

Timing: Past week

Self-administered

14-item scale.

Respondents rate items on a 5-point scale (0=never to 4=very often), and scores range from 0 to 40. Summated scores; items 4, 5, 6, 7, 9,10, and 13 are positively-stated, and reverse scored. A 10-item and 4-item version of the PSS have also been validated.

Three samples used for validation: two college student samples and one more heterogenous sample enrolled in an smoking-cessation program. Mean scores were 23.18 (S.D. = 7.31, range 6-50), 23.67 (S.D. = 7.79, range 5-44), and 25.0 (S.D.= 8.00, range 7-47), respectively.

 

Coefficient alpha reliability was .84, .85, and .86 in each of the samples, respectively. Test-retest for a two-day period was .85 for a student sample.

A small to moderate correlation between number of life events and the PSS was found with all three samples. This association was found to increase when the scale score took into account the respondent’s perception of the impact of the life event. The PSS and the CES-D were found to correlate, yet both scales still independently predicted physical symptomatology. The PSS is also predictive of changes in health care utilization.

Perceived Stress Scale

(PSS-10)

 

Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24 (December), 385 -396.

Measures a global level of perceived stress, not merely the presence of stressful life events.

Measures the degree to which respondents find their lives to be unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloading over the previous week.

none

Timing: Past week

Self-administered

10-item scale.

Respondents rate items on a 5-point scale (0=never to 4=very often), and scores range from 0 to 40. Summated scores; items 4, 5, 6, 7, 9,10, and 13 are positively-stated, and reverse scored. A 10-item and 4-item version of the PSS have also been validated.

Three samples used for validation: two college student samples and one more heterogenous sample enrolled in an smoking-cessation program.

high internal reliability (alpha coefficient =.78)

acceptable evidence of validity

 

Perceived Stress Scale- 4 item version

(PSS-4)

 

 

Measures the degree to which respondents find their lives to be unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloading over the previous month.

none

Timing: Past month

Self-administered

4-item scale.

Respondents rate items on a 5-point scale (0=never to 4=very often), and scores range from 0 to 20. 

 

Coefficient alpha reliability of .72, the 4-item PSS has demonstrated test-retest reliability of .55 over a 2-month interval.

Longer forms of the PSS have demonstrated moderate correlations with other measures of appraised stress.

Disability populations used:

The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) has used both the PSS-4 and PSS-10 in studies of stress and depression in women with physical disabilities. Tate and colleagues have used the PSS in a health promotion study of people with spinal cord injury.

 

Tate, D.G., Chiodo, A., Nelson, V., et al., (2002). The effect of a holistic health promotion program on individuals with spinal cord injury. Final Report of Study Findings. University of Michigan Health System: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

 

Perceived Stress

 

Zautra, A.J., Hoffman, J.M., Matt, K.S., et al., (1998). An examination of individual differences in the relationship between interpersonal stress and disease activity among women with rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Four items assessing the following domains of interpersonal perceived stress (adapted from the Inventory of Small Life Events):

Spouse or significant other, family members, friends and acquaintances, and employers/coworkers.

 

Past week, as compared with the week before.

Four questions for each domain:

“Compared to the week before, how would you describe your relations with (domain) this past week?”

Participants could respond:

Less stressful (0)

About the same (1)

More stressful (2)

Much more stressful (3)

 

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Zautra, Hoffman, Matt, et al.,(1998) developed four questions to measure perceived stress in a study of stress in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Zautra, A.J., Hoffman, J.M., Matt, K.S., et al., (1998). An examination of individual differences in the relationship between interpersonal stress and disease activity among women with rheumatoid arthritis.

 

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Mood

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Profile of Mood States-B

(POM-B).

 

Measures their mood that day based upon 9 negative indicators of depression, anxiety, hostility) and 9 positive indicators of happiness, calmness, and agreeableness.

 

Self-report

18 items (degree descriptors matched mood), 4-point scale; Scores range from -27 to +27;higher scores indicate more negative mood.

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Ward (1994) used the Profile of Mood States-B in a longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Ward, M.M. (1994). Are patient self-report measures of arthritis activity confounded by mood? A longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The Journal of Rheumatology, 21 (6), 1046-1050.

 

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Secondary and Chronic Conditions

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Seekins’  Secondary Conditions Scale

(SCS)

 

Seekins, T., Smith, N., McCleary, T., Clay, J., Walsh, J., (1990). Secondary disability prevention:  Involving consumers in the development of a public health surveillance instrument.  Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 1 (3), 21-36.

List of 40 secondary conditions that can be used in surveillance studies and to assess the physical, psychological, and social health of the individual and barriers in the environment. Measures new health problems since onset of primary disability.

None.

Self-administered, asks about extent of problems per week.

Asks respondents to rate the severity of each secondary condition on a scale of 0 to 3.

“0” means the condition does not limit activity, “1” means it limits activity 1-5 hours per week (mild problem), “2” means it limits activity 6-10 hours per week (moderate problem), and “3” means that it limits activity 11 or more hours per week (significant/chronic problem).

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Seekins, Clay, and Ravesloot, (1994) used this scale in a population of adults with physical disabilities living in rural areas.

Used extensively with disabled populations; this scale has also been modified for use by researchers in other studies and with a variety of populations. Researchers at the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities have adapted this scale for use in samples of women with physical disabilities. Tate and colleagues (2002) used this scale in a health promotion study of people with spinal cord injury. Turk and colleagues used a variation of this scale to reflect secondary health conditions experienced by adults with cerebral palsy.

 

Seekins, T., Clay, J., & Ravesloot, C. (1994). A descriptive study of secondary conditions reported by a population of adults with physical disabilities served by three independent living centers in a rural state.  Journal of Rehabilitation, April/May/June, 47-51.

Tate, D.G., Chiodo, A., Nelson, V., et al., (2002). The effect of a holistic health promotion program

 on individuals with spinal cord injury. Final Report of Study Findings. University of Michigan Health System: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Turk, M.A., Geremski, C.A., Rosenbaum, P.F., Weber, R.J., (1997). The health status of women with cerebral palsy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 78, S10-S17.

 

Health Conditions Checklist (HCC)

Scale developed by CROWD modeled after Seekins, et al.

Measures secondary health conditions for women with a primary physical disability.

None.

Self-administered or interviewer-administered; How much have the following conditions affected your activity and independence in the past two months.

44 items, Likert scale (with never as an additional categorical possible response); Range:

0= no problem in past 2 months,

1=mild or infrequent problem,

2= moderate/ occasional,

3= significant/ chronic,

4= never had this problem in my life

 

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Researchers at the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) used this scale in several studies of women with disabilities, including the evaluation of a health promotion intervention for women with disabilities over the age of 45, a stress self-management intervention, and depression self-management interventions.

 

Secondary Health Conditions

 

Campbell, M.L., Sheets, D., and Strong, P.S., (1999). Secondary health conditions among middle-aged individuals with chronic physical disabilities: Implications for unmet needs for services. Assistive Technology, 11, 105-122.

List of 14 common chronic health conditions experienced by middle-aged persons with disabilities.

Items include osteoarthritis, glaucoma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and emphysema.

Self-reported since onset of primary disability.

24 items. Dichotomous variable (yes = 1). Total disease burden was calculated by summing the 24 diagnoses. 17 items summed as morbidity diagnoses (e.g. asthma, skin breakdown, osteoarthritis), and 7 items summed as mortality diagnoses (e.g. coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer).

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Campbell, Sheets, and Strong administered this list of health conditions to middle-aged persons living with polio, rheumatoid arthritis, and stroke.

Campbell, M.L., Sheets, D., and Strong, P.S., (1999). Secondary health conditions among middle-aged individuals with chronic physical disabilities: Implications for unmet needs for services. Assistive Technology, 11, 105-122.

 

Secondary Conditions Questionnaire

 

Tate, D., (1996). Secondary Conditions Questionnaire. Pages 1-10. Wellness for Women with Polio Program, University of Michigan Medical Center.

Measures secondary conditions and comorbid conditions reportedly experienced by polio survivors. 

No subsets, but the list is divided into: secondary conditions (any physical condition that is the result of poliomyelitis), and comorbid conditions (diagnosed disease processes that coincide with polio).

 

21 items. Respondents indicate whether they have ever been diagnosed with the condition (dichotomous yes/no). The number of “yes” responses is added to provide a total score of secondary condtions.

Persons living with post-polio.

 

Content validity was established by expert review.

Disability populations used:

This questionnaire has been used in samples of polio survivors in studies conducted by Tate and colleagues (authors of the instrument) at University of Michigan Medical Center and by Harrison and Stuifbergen (2001), with the authors’ permission.

Harrison, T., and Stuifbergen, A., (2001). Barriers that further disablement: A study of survivors of polio. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 33 (3), 160-166.

 

 

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General Health/ Perceived Health

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Healthy Survey

(SF-36), General Health Perceptions subscale

 

Ware, J.E. & Sherbourne, C.D. (1992). The MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36): Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30 (6), 473-483.

The SF-36 is supposed to address general health concepts not specific to any age, disease, or treatment group (basic human values). The General Health Perceptions subscale assesses general health perceptions. Designed for clinical practice & research, health policy eval, and general population surveys.

One subscale of the SF-36:

General health perceptions (GHP)

(5 items, 21 levels).

Self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older or for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by phone (different forms are required for each). Timing is present or current health.

Five items, ordinal scales (Likert), summated ratings. Lower score indicates less perception of general health.

 

Tested on a variety of patient populations.

 

Used corresponding full-length MOS scale as the criterion in testing.

GHP: correlates (r=0.96) with 22-item GHRI constructed from Health Perspectives Questionnaire. Balances between favorably and unfavorably worded items to control for response set effects. A sixth item was added but is not used to score any of the 8 multi-item scales. It should probably be analyzed as a categorical variable or as an ordinal level scale.

Disability populations used:

Used extensively with a variety of populations with disabilities. The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) uses the SF-36 General Health subscale in studies of women with physical disabilities.

 

Health Self-Rating Scale/ Self-Rated Health (SRH)

 

Lawton, M.P., Moss, M., Fucomer, M., and Kleban, M.H., (1982). A research and service oriented multilevel assessment instrument. Journal of Gerontology, 37 (1), 91-99.

 

A subindex of the Multilevel Assessment Instrument; measures perceived current health status

None.

Current timing. Self-report.

4 items, including a global subjective health item (“How would you rate your overall health at the present time?”). Scores range from 4-13.

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Used by Becker, Stuifbergen, Ingalsbe, and Sands in a study of health promoting attitudes and behaviors among people with disabilities. Roberts and Stuifbergen (1998) used this scale in a study of persons with multiple sclerosis. They reported an alpha coefficient of 0.76 in this sample.

 

Becker, H.A., Stuifbergen, A.K., Ingalsbe, K., and Sands, D., (1989). International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 12 (3), 235-250.

Roberts, G., & Stuifbergen, A.K., (1998). Health appraisal models in multiple sclerosis. Social Science in Medicine, 47 (2), 243-253.

 

Health Conception Scale

 

Laffrey, S.C., (1986). Development of a health conception scale. Research in Nursing and Health, 9, 107-113.

Measures four dimensions of health as conceptualized by Smith (1983).

 

Four subscales: Clinical Health Conception (absence of disease), Functional/Role Performance Health Conception (ability to perform life roles and tasks), Adaptive Health Conception (ability to adapt to environmental changes), and Eudaimonistic Health Conception (self-actualization or living life to the fullest)

Self-report, current/present timing.

28 items 6-point Likert (1=strongly disagree, 6=strongly agree). Summated scores into four 7-item subscales.

 

Cronbach alpha coefficients range from .87 to .88.

Construct validity is supported by factor analysis.

Disability populations used:

Used by Becker, Stuifbergen, Ingalsbe, and Sands in a study of health promoting attitudes and behaviors among people with disabilities. Stuifbergen and Becker (1994) report intercorrelations between three of the subscales (Functional/Role Performance, Adaptive, and Eudaimonistic) as ranging from .70 to .78, and therefore combined these scales to form a Wellness Subscale. They reported coefficient alphas for this sample as .95 for the Wellness subscale and .84 for the Clinical subscale.

 

Becker, H.A., Stuifbergen, A.K., Ingalsbe, K., and Sands, D., (1989). Health promoting attitudes and behaviors among persons with disabilities. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 12 (3), 235-250.

Stuifbergen, A.K., and Becker, H.A., (1994). Predictors of health promoting lifestyles in persons with disabilities. Research in Nursing and Health, 17, 3-13.

 

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Pain

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Functional- Pain Scale (Stanford HAQ)

 

Fries, J.F., Spitz, P., Kraines, R.G., and Holman, H.R. (1980). Measurement of patient outcome in arthritis. Arthritis and Rheum., 23, 137-145.

 

 

Self-report

Responses for each area are scored 0 (no pain) to 3.0 (very severe pain). A summated score for each of the 8 dimensions is averaged to derive the total pain index (range: 0.0 to 3.0).

 

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Ward (1994) used the HAQ  including the pain scale in a longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Holman, Mazonson, and Lorig (1989) used this scale in a study of health outcomes of a self-management intervention in persons with chronic arthritis.

Holman, H., Mazonson, P., and Lorig, K., (1989). Health education for self-management has significant early and sustained benefits in chronic arthritis. Transactions of the Association of American Physicians, 102, 204-298.

Ward, M.M. (1994). Are patient self-report measures of arthritis activity confounded by mood? A longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The Journal of Rheumatology, 21 (6), 1046-1050.

 

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Healthy Survey

(SF-36), Pain subscale

 

Ware, J.E. & Sherbourne, C.D. (1992). The MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36): Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30 (6), 473-483.

Subscale is used to assess the health concept of bodily pain.

(2 item, 9 lev),

Bodily pain (BP)

 

Self-administration by persons 14 yrs and older or for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by phone (different forms are required for each). Timing is present or current health.

Ordinal scales (Likert), summated ratings. Lower score indicates greater limitations pain.

 

Tested on a variety of patient populations.

 

BP: one question concerns frequency of pain, 2nd question measures extent of interference with normal activities because of pain (latter item is best predictor, r=0.84, or total score for Behavioral Effects of Pain used in MOS-LF, the parent instrument).

Disability populations used:

Used extensively with a variety of populations with disabilities. The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) uses the SF-36 pain subscale in studies of women with physical disabilities.

 

Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI)

 Kerns, Turk, and Rudy, 1985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

 

 

McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ)

 

 

Melzack, R., (1975). The McGill Questionnaire: major properties and scoring methods. Pain, 1, 277-299.

 

Melnack, R., Katz, J., (1992). The McGill Pain Questionnaire: appraisal and current status. In: Turk DC, Melzack R, editors. Handbook of Pain Assessment. New York: The Guilford Press, p. 152-168.

An adjective checklist that measures multiple dimensions of pain, based upon gate control theory.

3 dimensions of pain (sensory, evaluative, and affective).

Self-report

20 items representing single-word pain descriptors. Respondents select one word from each group that best describes their experiences and leave out any word group that is not applicable. A total pain score can be derived by summing scores for all 3 dimensions, including the score from the miscellaneous category.

 

Good test-retest reliability.

Content and construct validity have been established.

Disability populations used:

The MPQ has been used in a study of women with fibromyalgia (Hassett, et al., 2000).

Hassett, A.L., Cone, J.D., Patella, S.J., and Sigal, L.H., (2000). The role of catastrophizing in the pain and depression of women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 42 (11), 2493-2500.

 

 

Pain Visual Analog Scale

(VAS)

 

Dixon, J.S., Bird, H.A. (1981). Reproducibility along a 10-cm vertical visual analogue scale. Annals of Rheumatic Disorders, 40, 87-89.

 

Downie, W.W., Leatham, P.A., Rhind, VM., et al., (1978). Studies with pain rating scales. Annals of Rheumatic Disorders, 37, 378-381.

Measures absolute pain, assumes a linear variable.

N/A

Self-report, current or present timing.

10-cm (100 mm) visual analog scale. Range is 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst possible pain).

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

The VAS is widely used in a variety of populations, including people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (Sarzi-Puttini, et al., 2002).

Lorig et al., (1996, 1985) used a pain visual analog scale in an outcome study of persons with chronic arthritis participating in a self-management program.

Lorig, K., Chastain, R.L., Ung, E., Shoor, S., and Holman, H., (1989). Development and evaluation of a scale to measure perceived self-efficacy in people with arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 32 (1), 37-44.

Lorig, K., Lubeck, D., Kraines, R.G., Seleznick, M., Holman, H.R., (1985). Outcomes of self-help education for patients with arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 28 (6), 680-685.

Sarzi-Puttini, P., Fiorini, T., Panni, B., et al., (2002). Correlation of the score for subjective pain with physical disability, clinical and radiographic scores in recent onset rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 3 (1), 18.

 

Pain Ordinal Scale

Asks participants to measure pain as mild, moderate, or severe.

N/A

Self-report, current or present timing.

Asks participants to measure pain as mild, moderate, or severe.

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

An ordinal assessment of pain, in conjunction with a visual analog scale, was used in a study of health outcomes for a self-management intervention in persons with arthritis (Lorig et al., 1985).

Lorig, K., Lubeck, D., Kraines, R.G., Seleznick, M., Holman, H.R., (1985). Outcomes of self-help education for patients with arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 28 (6), 680-685.

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Mobility

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Craig Handicap Assessment & Reporting Technique original- (CHART), Mobility subscale

 

Whiteneck, Charlifue, Gerhart, Overholser, & Richardson (1992). Quantifying Handicap: A New Measure of Long-Term Rehabilitation Outcomes. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 73 (June), 519-526.

Measures mobility, or difficulty getting around in environment, but not necessarily disability. See full CHART description.

Mobility (M), (9 items)

 

Interview tool (face-to-face or phone). Instrument can be mailed but data may be lost in absence of interaction with interviewer providing consistent prompts. No set time period but multiple measurements should be taken over course of person’s lifetime.

37 items measuring “handicap”, with 100-point subscale for each dimension of handicap, which can be interpreted individually or totaled to give overall index of handicap. It is possible to earn >100 points for each subset, but max of 100 points is allowed, as 100 points indicates no handicap in that domain. Scores below 100 indicate some level of handicap.

n=135 patients with SCI, avg age 33 (range 16-74) with injuries >2 years to assess psychometrics. Only 16% women, n=41 complete quads, n= 38 incomplete quads, n=42 complete paras, n=14 incomplete paras. Norms established using n=88 able-bodied friends or associates of same age and gender; 23% were women and 77% male.

Initial application done with n = 342 former patients at Craig who have spinal cord injuries for > 1 year. avg age = 34 yrs, range (15-80). Only 15% were women. 60% had cervical injuries.

High test-retest reliability; r= .93 for total instrument.

M subscale: r=.95

 

Family members or other proxy for each SCI subject also asked CHART; subject-proxy correlations were .83 for total CHART; good agreement betw ratings of subjects & proxies achieved on all dimensions except SI, in which degree of agreement found to be related to how closely the proxy knew the subject.

M subscale: r=.84

 

 

Validity was determined by performance in differentiating groups of subjects globally evaluated by rehab professionals as having high or low levels of handicap.; signif dif found between 2 group’s (low or hi) mean total CHART scores (high handicap x = 333, low-handicap x = 438, t=6.36, p<.001. The M subscale was also significantly different (M: t=3.89, p<.001)

Rasch demonstrated CHART is a well-calibrated linear scale, with good fit of both items and persons to data.

Items in each subscale analyzed separately; all items fit in subscale cluster, (no item had t-value for fit >1.2). Person-fit analysis also good match (fit-statistic x =0.0, SD=1.2).

Other Disability Populations:

Analysis for the original CHART was conducted on various disability populations, including SCI (Whiteneck, Tate, Charlifue, 1999, Boninger et al., 1998, Vogel, 1998, Waters, 1998, Whiteneck, 1996) TBI (Corrigan, et al., 1998, Brooks, Gabella, Hoffman, Sosin, & Whiteneck, 1997), stroke (Segal & Schall, 1995), MS, burn, and amputee populations. These additional analyses indicate that the CHART can be generalized to other disability populations.

 

Craig Handicap Assessment & Reporting Technique Short Form

 

 (CHART-SF)

 

Craig Handicap Assessment & Reporting Technique- Short Form (CHART-SF), Craig Hospital Research Department, 3425 S Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80110.

 

Introduction to the CHART Short Form. Center for Outcome Measurement in Brain Injury (COMBI);

http://www.tbims.org/combi/chartsf

 

 The CHART-SF is a shortened version of the CHART. The Mobility subscale of CHART-SF retains three items from the parent scale.

Mobility (M), (3 items)

 

Same as CHART:

Interview tool (face-to-face or phone). Instrument can be mailed but data may be lost in absence of interaction with interviewer providing consistent prompts. No set time period but multiple measurements should be taken over course of person’s lifetime.

19 items total summation of scores.

100-point subscale for each dimension of handicap, which can be interpreted individually or totaled to give overall index of handicap. It is possible to earn >100 points for each subset, but max of 100 points is allowed, as 100 points indicates no handicap in that domain. Scores below 100 indicate some level of handicap.

 

Could not find original article analyzing psychometrics for CHART-SF.

With 2 exceptions, the only variables that were selected to be in a subscale were those that entered into a stepwise regression model together explaining over 90% of the variance. Items were re-scored so that each subscale still would have a max of 100, but efforts were made to keep all the score weightings of the variables proportionate to the original weightings.

 

Other Disability Populations:

The main analysis used data for participants in the CHART validation, n=1,110 with various disabilities.

SCI: n=236; BI: n=242; MS: n=248; Stroke: n=223; Amputation: n=91; Burn: n=70.

The CHART-SF was then tested on 1800 persons in the BRFSS survey of Colorado residents, conducted in 1999, to establish norms for the general population. The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) uses the CHART-SF mobility subscale in studies of women with physical disabilities.

CHART-SF has also been used with disability populations in other countries. For example, Dijkers et al., (2002) compared SCI populations in Turkey and USA.  Dijkers, Yavuzer, Ergin, Weitzenkamp, & Whiteneck, (2002). A Tale of Two Countries: Environmental Impacts on Social Participation After Spinal Cord Injury. Spinal Cord, 40 (7), 351-362.

Lower Body Mobility Scale

 

Clark, D.O., Stump, T.E., Wollnsky, F.D., (1998). Predictors of Onset of and Recovery from Mobility Difficulty among Adults Aged 51-61 Years. American Journal of Epidemiology, 148 (1), 63-71.

 

Reports of any difficulty in performing three mobility tasks: walking one block, walking several blocks, and climbing one flight of stairs without resting.

None

Self-response, current timing

Header: “How difficult is it for you to…” or “Do you have any difficulty with…”

5 point Likert scale:

Responses ranged from not at all, a little, somewhat, very, and don’t do.

“A little”, “somewhat”, and “very” were coded as 1s, indicating difficulty. Possible scores range from 0 (no difficulty on any item) to 3 (difficulty on every item).

 

Adults 51-61 years, both with and without mobility problems, administered to participants in the Health and Retirement Survey.

Cronbach’s alpha was 0.71 at a baseline administration and 0.72 at 2-year follow-up.

Exploratory factor analysis models yielded minimum factor loadings of 0.79.

Other Disability Populations:

Clark, Stump, and Wollnsky used this measure of mobility in a study to identify predictors of onset and recovery from mobility difficulty in older adults.

Clark, D.O., Stump, T.E., Wollnsky, F.D., (1998). Predictors of Onset of and Recovery from Mobility Difficulty among Adults Aged 51-61 Years. American Journal of Epidemiology, 148 (1), 63-71.

 

Mobility Assessment

 

Turk, M.A., Geremski, C.A., Rosenbaum, P.F., Weber, R.J., (1997). The health status of women with cerebral palsy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 78, S10-S17.

Observational assessment.

 

Trained observer.

Timed test of walking and/or wheelchair propulsion.

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Turk and colleagues describe this procedure to assess mobility as used in a sample of women with cerebral palsy.

Turk, M.A., Geremski, C.A., Rosenbaum, P.F., Weber, R.J., (1997). The health status of women with cerebral palsy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 78, S10-S17.

 

See also IV: Personal/Social/Environmental Status Measures- Physical Functioning, Disability, and Functional Limitations

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Role limitations (physical and emotional)

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Healthy Survey

(SF-36), Role Functioning subscale

 

Ware, J.E. & Sherbourne, C.D. (1992). The MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36): Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30 (6), 473-483.

Assesses health concept of limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems and limitations in usual role activities because of emotional problems. Designed for clinical practice & research, health policy eval, and general population surveys.

Subscale assesses role limits due to phys prob (RF) , (4 item, 5 levels);This scale is a subset of the MOS long-form study or the SF-20.

Self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older or for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by phone (different forms are required for each). Timing is present or current health.

Ordinal scales (Likert), summated ratings. Lower scores indicates greater limitations or interference due to health.

 

Tested on a variety of patient populations.

 

Used corresponding full-length MOS scale as the criterion in testing.

RF: subset of MOS-LF

 

Disability populations used:

Used extensively with a variety of populations with disabilities. The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) uses the SF-36 role functioning subscale in studies of women with physical disabilities.

See also IV: Personal/Social/Environmental Status Measures- Physical Functioning, Disability, Functional Limitations, and Handicap

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Vitality

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Healthy Survey

(SF-36, Vitality subscale

 

Ware, J.E. & Sherbourne, C.D. (1992). The MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36): Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30 (6), 473-483.

Assesses health concept of vitality, defined in terms of energy and fatigue.

Designed for clinical practice & research, health policy eval, and general population surveys.

One of eight subscales. Vitality (V) (4 item, 21 levels)

Scale was constructed by adding four items adapted from the 38-item MHI to the MOS long-form study or the SF-20.

Self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older or for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by phone (different forms are required for each). Timing is present or current health.

Ordinal scales (Likert), summated ratings. Lower scores indicates lower vitality. 

 

Tested on a variety of patient populations.

 

Used corresponding full-length MOS scale as the criterion in testing.

V: tested with patients with hypertension, prostate disease, and AIDS.

Disability populations used:

Used extensively with a variety of populations with disabilities. The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) uses the SF-36 Vitality subscale in studies of women with physical disabilities.

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Physical Functioning

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Healthy Survey

(SF-36), Physical Functioning subscale

 

Ware, J.E. & Sherbourne, C.D. (1992). The MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36): Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30 (6), 473-483.

Assesses  health concept of physical functioning, defined as limitations in physical activities because of health problems.

Designed for clinical practice & research, health policy eval, and general population surveys.

Physical functioning (PFS)

 (10 items, 21 levels) is one of eight subscales.

 

Self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older or for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by phone (different forms are required for each). Timing is present or current health.

Ordinal scales (Likert), summated ratings. Lower scores indicates greater limitations. High score on physical functioning indicates “able to perform all types of physical activities including the most vigorous without limitations due to health”. 

 

Tested on a variety of patient populations.

 

Used corresponding full-length MOS scale as the criterion in testing.

PFS: 3-level response continuum of presence and extent of physical limitations. This subscale was retained uncut from MOS-LF, the parent scale.

 

Disability populations used:

Used extensively with a variety of populations with disabilities. The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) uses the SF-36 physical functioning scale in studies of women with physical disabilities.

 

Functional Independence Measure

(FIM)

 

Keith RA, Granger CV, Hamilton BB, Sherwin FS.

 The functional independence measure: a new tool for rehabilitation.

Adv Clin Rehabil. 1987;1:6-18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See also IV: Personal/Social/Environmental Status Measures- Physical Functioning, Disability, and Functional Limitations

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Social Functioning

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Healthy Survey

(SF-36), Social Functioning subscale

 

Ware, J.E. & Sherbourne, C.D. (1992). The MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36): Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30 (6), 473-483.

Measures limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems. Designed for clinical practice & research, health policy eval, and general population surveys.

One of eight subscales:

Social Functioning (SF)

(2 item, 9 lev).

Some scales were retained uncut from the MOS long-form study or the SF-20.

Self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older or for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by phone (different forms are required for each). Timing is present or current health.

Ordinal scales (Likert), summated ratings. Lower scores indicates greater limitations or interference due to health.

 

Tested on a variety of patient populations.

 

Used corresponding full-length MOS scale as the criterion in testing.

SF: asks about impact of phys OR emotional health on social activities.

Disability populations used:

Used extensively with a variety of populations with disabilities. The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) uses the SF-36 Social Functioning subscale in studies of women with physical disabilities.

 

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Use of Health Care

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Health and Social Service Utilization Questionnaire

 

Veterans Administration. Health services research and development:  Resource utilization and costs of HIV care in the VA:  VA resource use:  Form D.  2000.

 

Wray NP. VA Medical Research Grant 0001:  Arthroscopic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Houston, TX: Houston Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence; 2000.

 

Includes questions concerning social services use related to medical conditions. Can be used to survey health care utilization in populations with high rates of utilization. 

 

 

 

This questionnaire was developed and successfully implemented to survey Resource Utilization and Costs of HIV Care in the VA. A survey of  health status and utilization by patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery was also developed.

 

 

Disability populations used:

Questions concerning utilization from this survey were incorporated and modified for use in a study of the cost of depression and secondary conditions in women with physical disabilities conducted by the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD).

 

 

CROWD- Modified Version of the Health and Social Service Utilization Questionnaire

 

 

Includes questions adapted from the Health and Social Service Utilization Questionnaire. This questionnaire asks participants about frequency of utilization of various health care, and estimates  out-of-pocket cost.

Sections/ Domains:

A.    Visits to physicians.

B.   Visits to other health care providers.

C.   Hospitalizations and Procedures.

D.   Emergency Care.

E.   Personal Assistance Care.

F.    Medical Equipment.

G.   Medications.

H.   Medical Tests.

I.      Costs.

Interviewer-administered. Past two months.

Requires determination of a Medicare Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) to be used in scoring when a participant has been hospitalized.

The DRG code will provide critical and informative additional information on the resource intensity of the hospitalization.

Developed for use in a study of women with physical disabilities to explore cost of depression and secondary conditions.

 

 

Disability populations used:

The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) modified this scale in collaboration with the survey’s original authors for a study of the cost of depression and secondary conditions in women with physical disabilities.

 

Medical Services Utilization

(UTIL)

 

CROWD – no citation

Assessment of number of visits to medical doctor, emergency room, hospital, or to mental health professional

N/A

Past two months, self-administered

6 items, number of visits.

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) developed this scale for use in a study of women with physical disabilities over the age of 45.

 

Number of visits to physicians

 

Lorig, K., Lubeck, D., Kraines, R.G., Seleznick, M., Holman, H.R., (1985). Outcomes of self-help education for patients with arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 28 (6), 680-685.

Self-reported estimate of number of visits to physicians during the previous four months.

N/A

Past four months, self-report.

Estimate provided by participant.

286 persons with chronic arthritis participating in a self-management study.

A chart check on an independent sample of 29 arthritis patients yielded a correlation of 0.79.

 

Disability populations used:

Lorig et al., used this count in a study of persons with arthritis.

Lorig, K., Lubeck, D., Kraines, R.G., Seleznick, M., Holman, H.R., (1985). Outcomes of self-help education for patients with arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 28 (6), 680-685.

 

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Weight and Body Composition

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Body Mass Index

 (BMI)

Widely-used measure of overweight. Requires assumptions to be made about norms in the population being assessed. Requires height and weight measurements.

None.

Self-report or measurements by interviewer.

According to the National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization, overweight is defined as a BMI or 25-29.9, and obesity as a BMI equal to or greater than 30.  A person with a BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight/overfat.  A BMI of 18 or lower indicates that a person is underweight/underfat.

Persons in the general population.

 

Current guidelines do not differentiate for gender, ethnicity or age, and do not distinguish obesity or leanness for individuals who are extremely muscular.  It is, however, more precise than height/weight tables and allows comparisons of population groups.  Studies have confirmed that obesity-related health risks start in the BMI range of 25-30. Self-reported weight and height are problematic because evidence has shown that overweight individuals are more likely to underestimate weight and overestimate height than thinner individuals (Rowland, (1990).

Disability populations used:

BMI is widely used in research of people with physical disabilities (e.g., The National Health Interview Survey). However, it should be used with caution in some populations, because normative standards are not usually available for people with physical disabilities. BMI fails to consider lower weights due to muscle atrophy or missing limbs, and is unable to attribute lost weight due to body fat loss or due to muscle loss associated with conditions such as muscle wasting (Pessolano et al., 2003, Gibson, 1990, Weil et al., 2002). BMI calculations also require a height measurement, and women who have been unable to walk for years may be unable to provide an accurate height (calculations taken while sitting may be inaccurate due to spine compression, and muscle contractures may make measurements in a supine position difficult); additionally, women with altered skeletal musculature due to scoliosis, bone deformities, or severe osteoporosis may have a misrepresented height. In patients who have muscle contractures, technicians may segmentally measure the contracted limb in order to get a more accurate measure of height (Rimmer, 2003). Buchholz et al., (2003) used BMI in a study of paraplegic patients. A Plexiglas length board to measure height was designed specifically for the study. Participants had to transfer from their wheelchairs, and lie flat on the board. Self-reported heights and weights for people with mobility problems may be particularly problematic in reporting BMI, as there is some evidence that people who are unable to stand on a scale are more likely to report imprecise height and weight (Nawaz, et al., 2001). BMI has been used by The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) in studies of women with physical disabilities.

Buchholz, A.C., McGillivray, C.F., Pencharz, P.B., (2003). Differences in resting metabolic rate between paraplegic and able-bodied subjects are explained by differences in body composition. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 77(2),371-8.

Gibson, R.S., (1990). Anthropometric and other reference data. Principles of nutritional assessment. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990: 601-671.

Nawaz, H., Chan, W., Abdulrahman, M., Larson, D., Katz, D.L., (2001). Self-reported weight and height: implications for obesity research. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 20(4),294-8.

Pessolano, F.A., Suarez, A.A., Monteiro, S.G., Mesa, L., Dubrovsky, A., et al., (2003). Nutritional assessment of patients with neuromuscular diseases. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 82 (3), 182-185.

Rimmer J.  4-13-2003. Personal Communication.

Rowland, M.L., (1990). Self-reported weight and height. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 52, 1125-1133.

Weil, E., Wachterman, M., McCarthy, E.P., Davis, R.B., O'Day, B., Iezzoni, L.I., et al., (2002). Obesity among adults with disabling conditions. JAMA, 288 (10), 1265-1268.

 

Bioelectric Impedance Analysis

A scale that measures the opposition of different bodily tissues to an electrical current, and calculates percent body fat, fat free mass, and estimate total body water.  

Three generalizable equations from this test can be used to calculate percent body fat, fat free mass, and estimate total body water.

N/A

Uses electrodes on arms and feet. This technique would require laboratory analysis, and for subjects to come to the lab about 4 hours early. They would also have to avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and caffeine for 12 hours before the test, and at least 64 fluid oz of water in the 24 hour period before test (dehydration can influence test results).

Persons in the general population.

 

 

Disability populations used:

May be used with caution in studies of persons with physical disabilities. Some scales require one to stand, others to lie supine. Pessalano and colleagues (2003) argue that this method is inappropriate for people with certain conditions or disabilities as it does not take into account significant loss in muscle mass due to neuromuscular problems or atrophy. Proposed for use by researchers at the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) in a weight-management intervention study among women with physical disabilities.

Pessolano, F.A., Suarez, A.A., Monteiro, S.G., Mesa, L., Dubrovsky, A., et al., (2003). Nutritional assessment of patients with neuromuscular diseases. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 82 (3), 182-185.

 

Zero Muscle Mass

(ZMM)

 

 

 

N/A

 

Persons in the general population.

 

 

Disability populations used:

Pessolano and colleagues (2003) favor the Zero Muscle Mass technique based upon their study findings that the test was able to take into account muscle atrophy for patients with muscular dystrophy or ALS. Their study found that in a sample of 34 patients with muscular dystrophy and ALS, only five were classified as overweight by the BMI, whereas 30 were overweight according to the Zero Muscle Mass (ZMM); no patients showed normal body muscle mass. However, this test requires that participants go on a creatinine-free diet for 6 days, and requires body height and weight measurements.

Pessolano, F.A., Suarez, A.A., Monteiro, S.G., Mesa, L., Dubrovsky, A., et al., (2003). Nutritional assessment of patients with neuromuscular diseases. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 82 (3), 182-185.

 

Skin-fold calipers

Uses a skin-fold caliper to measure skinfold thickness at various sites, including triceps, subscrapular, suprailiac, and anterior thigh.

N/A

 

Measurements at several sites should be taken for greater accuracy.

Persons in the general population.

Requires trained technician to ensure greater reliability, and each site must be measured several times. This test is considered much more unreliable if the technician is not adequately trained. Also, this test is not reliable in persons with severe obesity.  According to Himes, (2001), up to ¼ of women over 50 may have skinfold thickness too large to measure with standard calipers. Although larger calipers are available, there is question regarding the reliability (and logistics) of using larger calipers with skinfolds this large.

Requires a specially trained technician to accurately measure body fat folds.

Disability populations used:

May be used in studies of people with physical disabilities.  Skin fold measurements may be taken at sites that do not require the person to stand. Proposed for use by researchers at the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) in a weight-management intervention study among women with physical disabilities.

Himes, J.H., (2001). Prevalence of individuals with skinfolds too large to measure. American Journal of Public Health, 91 (1), 154-155.

 

Bod-Pod

(Air Displacement)

Based on the same principle as underwater weighing, the BOD POD uses computerized sensors to measure how much air is displaced while a person sits for 20 seconds in a capsule. 

Body density and percent body fat.

N/A

It uses a calculation to determine body density, then estimates body fat.  Person must sit for 20 seconds in a capsule.

Persons in the general population.

Highly reliable.

Highly accurate.

Disability populations used:

As it is very accurate, this may be a good alternative to underwater (hydrostatic weighing), which is a gold-standard technique in the general population, but has several disadvantages for use in persons with severe physical disabilities. However, Bod-Pod equipment is very expensive and limited in availability.

 

Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)

DEXA uses a whole body scanner that has two low-dose x-rays at different sources that read bone and soft tissue mass simultaneously.  The sources are mounted beneath a table with a detector overhead.  tissue mass.

Reads bone and soft tissue mass, then divides the body into multiple compartments- total body mineral, fat-free soft mass (lean), and fat

N/A

Requires a person to lay supine or reclining; data is collected at 0.5 cm intervals. The scan takes between 10-25 minutes. Person must lie still throughout the procedure.

Persons in the general population.

Very reliable.

Considered a “gold standard”; accurately provides a variety of information about body composition. Considered to be less accurate for people who are extremely obese.

Disability populations used:

Used in studies of people with physical disabilities. Considered to be the most accurate measurement of body composition in persons with spinal cord injury (Jones, Goulding, and Gerrard, 1998). However, it is extremely expensive, the method is not as accurate for people who are extremely obese, and the table has weight limits.

Jones, L.M., Goulding, A., and Gerrard, D.F., (1998). DEXA: A practical and accurate tool to demonstrate total and regional bone loss, lean tissue loss and fat mass gain in paraplegia. Spinal Cord, 36, 637-640.

 

Wheelchair-Accessible Platform  Scales

Wheelchair scales come in various sizes and weight capacities. Some can be used with power wheelchairs. Some also have handles that support a person who is able to stand.

N/A

N/A

 

 

Varies.

Varies.

Disability populations used:

Commonly used in studies of people with severe mobility impairments. Buchholz et al., (2003) used a digital wheelchair scale for weight measurement, and a specially designed Plexiglas length board to measure height for the paraplegic participants (this board was designed specifically for the study). Participants had to transfer from their wheelchairs, and lie flat on the board. Wheelchair scales have been proposed for use by researchers at the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) in a weight-management intervention study among women with physical disabilities.

Buchholz, A.C., McGillivray, C.F., Pencharz, P.B., (2003). Differences in resting metabolic rate between paraplegic and able-bodied subjects are explained by differences in body composition. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 77(2),371-8.

 

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Quality of Life

Instrument Name and Original Reference

Instrument Description & Construct

Measured

Dimensions/

subscales

Indicator (Timing + Source of Data)

Variables (Number of Items, Scale, & Range)

Test Population

Instrument Reliability

Psychometric Review of Instrument Validity

Quality of Life Index

(QLI),

Spinal Cord Injury Version

 

May, L.A., & Warren, S., (2001). Measuring quality of life of persons with spinal cord injury: Substantive and structural validation. Quality of Life Research, 10, 503, 515.

Adapted from the original QLI: Ferrans, C., & Powers, M., (1985). Quality of life index: Development and psychometric properties. ANS: Advances in Nursing Science, 8 (1), 15-24.

Four domains: Health and functioning, psychological and spiritual, social and economic, and family.

Self-report, current or present timing.

35 items. Six-point scale. Each question is weighted by the relative importance or value of the aspect of life represented by that item to the respondent. Scores are calculated by weighting the satisfaction item with its corresponding importance item.

A qualitative analysis of the QLI-SCI was conducted with 11 participants (nine men and two women), with spinal cord injury for at least one year.

 

 

Disability populations used:

The QLI-SCI has been used in studies of persons with spinal cord injury.

 

Quality of Life Index

(QLI),

Multiple Sclerosis Version

 

Ferrans, C., & Powers, M., (1985). Quality of life index: Development and psychometric properties. ANS: Advances in Nursing Science, 8 (1), 15-24.

Measures general satisfaction with various aspects of quality of life. Respondents rate the relative importance of each aspect.

Four domains: Health and functioning, psychological and spiritual, social and economic, and family.

2 parts: Part 1 measures satisfaction with various QOL domains, Part 2 measures the importance of each domain.

Self-report, current or present timing.

72 items. Six-point scale. Each question is weighted by the relative importance or value of the aspect of life represented by that item to the respondent. Scores are calculated by weighting the satisfaction item with its corresponding importance item.

 

 

 

Disability populations used:

Stuifbergen, Seraphine, and Roberts (2000) have used this scale in a sample of persons with multiple sclerosis in a study titled Health Promotion and Quality of Life in Chronic Illness.

Stuifbergen, A., Seraphine, A., & Roberts, G., (2000). An explanatory model of health promotion and quality of life in chronic illness. Nursing Research, 49 (3), 122-129.

 

Osteoporosis Functional Disability Questionnaire (OFDQ)

 

Helmes, E., (2000). Function and disability or quality of life? Issues illustrated by the Osteoporosis Functional Disability Questionnaire (OFDQ). Quality of Life Research, 9, 755-761.

Measures major areas of function important to persons with osteoporosis. Also measures quality of life.

Five domains: pain (severity, impact, and frequency or pattern, 8 items), depression (20 items from CES-D), function in performing activities of daily living (ADLs) (26 items), socialization and financial situation (2 items), and confidence in exercise program (3 items).

Self-report.

59 items. Scoring is based upon scores for each domain. Scale does not provide a total score.