Search

Background. There is little evidence for the measurement properties of instruments commonly used for women with pelvic girdle pain. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the internal consistency, testretest reliability, and construct validity of instruments used for women with pelvic girdle pain. Design. This was a cross-sectional methodology study, including test-retest reliability assessment. Methods. Women with pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy and after delivery participated in a postal survey that included the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODD, Disability Rating Index (DRD, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and 8-item version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). Test-retest reliability was assessed with a random subsample 1 week later. Internal consistency was assessed with the Cronbach alpha, and test-retest reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and minimal detectable change (MDC). Construct validity based on hypotheses was assessed by correlation analysis. Discriminant validity was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results. All participants responded to the main (N=87) and test-retest (n=42) surveys. Cronbach alpha values ranged from .88 to .94, and ICCs ranged from .78 to .94. The MDC at the individual level constituted about 7% to 14% of total scores for the 8-item version of the SF-36, ODI, and PGQ activity subscale; about 18% to 22% for the DRI, PGQ symptom subscale, and PCS; and about 25% for the FABQ. Hypotheses were mostly confirmed by correlations between the instruments. The PGQ was the only instrument that significantly discriminated participants who were pregnant from participants who were not pregnant as well as pain locations. Limitations. A comparison of responsiveness to change of the various instruments used in this study was not undertaken, but will be carried out in a future study. Conclusions. Serf-report instruments for assessing health showed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity for women with pelvic girdle pain. The PGQ was the only instrument with satisfactory discriminant validity, thus, it is recommended for evaluating symptoms and disability in patients with pelvic girdle pain., Pregnancy-related back and pelvic girdle pain is a common condition varying from self-limiting symptoms of short duration during pregnancy to great pain and disability both during and after pregnancy. (1) [...]

Background. No appropriate measures have been specifically developed for pelvic girdle pain (PGP). There is a need for suitable outcome measures that are reliable and valid for people with PGP for use in research and clinical practice. Objective. The objective of this study was to develop a condition-specific measure, the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ), for use during pregnancy and postpartum. Design. This was a methodology study. Methods. Items were developed from a literature review and information from a focus group of people who consulted physical therapists for PGP. Face validity and content validity were assessed by classifying the items according to the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. After a pilot study, the PGQ was administered to participants with clinically verified PGP by means of a postal questionnaire in 2 surveys. The first survey included 94 participants (52 pregnant), and the second survey included 87 participants (43 pregnant). Rasch analysis was used for item reduction, and the PGQ was assessed for unidimensionality, item fit, redundancy, and differential item functioning. Test-retest reliability was assessed with a random sample of 42 participants. Results. The analysis resulted in a questionnaire consisting of 20 activity items and 5 symptom items on a 4-point response scale. The items in both subscales showed a good fit to the Rasch model, with acceptable internal consistency, satisfactory fit residuals, and no disordered threshold. Test-retest reliability showed high intraclass correlation coefficient estimates: .93 (95% confidence interval=0.86-0.96) for the PGQ activity subscale and .91 (95% confidence interval=0.84-0.95) for the PGQ symptom subscale. Limitations. The PGQ should be compared with low back pain questionnaires as part of a concurrent evaluation of measurement properties, including validity and responsiveness to change. Conclusions. The PGQ is the first condition-specific measure developed for people with PGP. The PGQ had acceptably high reliability and validity in people with PGP both during pregnancy and postpartum, it is simple to administer, and it is feasible for use in clinical practice., Pregnancy-related back pain and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) are common across countries, irrespective of socioeconomic factors. (1) In general, the literature does not make a clear distinction between pregnancy-related low [...]

Background. Clinical course and outcome connected to rehabilitation after hip or knee arthroplasty have been studied extensively, but few studies have assessed the content of team rehabilitation care for these patients. Objective. The purpose of this study was to provide a thorough description of the structure, process, and outcome of team rehabilitation care for patients with hip or knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Design. This was a multicenter, longitudinal observational study. Methods. Patients (N=183) from 6 rehabilitation centers in Norway who were undergoing inpatient rehabilitation following hip or knee arthroplasty were included in the study. Structure and process components were recorded by participants and health care professionals in a patient diary. Participants also completed questionnaires regarding their experiences during their rehabilitation stay and recorded data for outcome measures at admission, at discharge, and 6 months after discharge. The main outcome measures were pain intensity and physical function, as assessed with the physical function scale of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results. Data were complete for 172 participants (94%) at discharge and for 148 patients (81%) at the 6-month follow-up. Health care professionals, physical therapists, nurses, and physicians were most often involved in team care. Occupational therapists, social workers, and psychologists were seldom part of the rehabilitation team. Exercises provided by physical therapists were the most common treatment modality. Patient education, massage, and manual therapy also frequently were provided. The participants were very satisfied with their care and its organization, information, and communication and with the availability of health care professionals. They were moderately satisfied with the social environment of the rehabilitation setting. The participants had large improvements in the outcome measures during the rehabilitation stay and at the 6-month follow-up. Limitations. For typical physical therapy modalities such as exercises, electrotherapy, and acupuncture, there are limited descriptions and assessments of treatment doses. Conclusions. Current team rehabilitation care involves a traditional team with physical therapists, nurses, and physicians. Several types of treatment modalities are used, with greatest emphasis on physical training. This detailed description of current team rehabilitation practice might help clinicians and researchers in planning clinical trials within a rehabilitation setting, as well as in improving rehabilitation practice., Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disease in the Western world and is expected to increase with increases in age and obesity in the general population. (1) Although most patients [...]