Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

J64791

Journal:


Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 93, 10, 1722-1732

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Article describes the development and evaluation of the Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index (SCI-FI), a new measurement system of physical functioning for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Specifically, the goals of the study were to develop a comprehensive set of items that assess multiple aspects of physical functioning relevant to the lives of people with SCI, and to evaluate the underlying conceptual structure of physical functioning in these individuals. Item pools of physical functioning were developed, refined, and field tested in a large sample of 855 individuals with traumatic SCI stratified by diagnosis, severity, and time since injury. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that a 5-factor model, including basic mobility, ambulation, wheelchair mobility, self-care, and fine motor function, had the best model fit and was most closely aligned conceptually with feedback received from individuals with SCI and SCI clinicians. When just the items making up basic mobility were tested in CFA, the fit statistics indicated strong support for a unidimensional model. Similar results were demonstrated for each of the other 4 factors, indicating unidimensional models. Though unidimensional or 2-factor (mobility and upper extremity) models of physical functioning make up outcomes measures in the general population, the underlying structure of physical function in SCI is more complex. A 5-factor solution allows for comprehensive assessment of key domain areas of physical functioning. These results informed the structure and development of the SCI-FI measurement system of physical functioning

Author(s):


Tulsky DS, Jette AM, Kisala PA, Kalpakjian C, Dijkers MP, Whiteneck G, Ni P, Kirshblum S, Charlifue S, Heinemann AW, Forchheimer M, Slavin MD, Houlihan B, Tate DG, Dyson-Hudson T, Fyffe D, Williams S, Zanca J

Participating Centers: