Psychometric Evaluation of Condition-Specific Instruments Used to Assess Health-Related Quality of Life and Related Constructs in Aphasia
Aphasiology
Gadson, D. S., Marshall, R. S., et al. (2020).
Aphasiology, 34(12), 1506-1534.
This systematic review investigates the psychometric properties of health-related quality of life instruments for people with aphasia.
Not stated
From 1995 to 2018
Peer-reviewed publications as well as grey literature
40
Results show the strongest support for the Assessment for Living with Aphasia as it met most study criteria (i.e., conceptual model, burden, versatility, content validity, responsiveness, depth (total score), construct validity (total score), interpretability of norms, and reliability for use in clinical trials) as well as group and individual-level decision making. It lacked construct validity for its domains.
Both the Communication Disability Profile (CDP) and Communication Outcome After Stroke (COAST) met study criteria for conceptual model, administrator burden, versatility, content validity, interpretability of norms and reliability for use in clinical trials. Reliability did not support bedside use of these instruments. They also lacked construct validity data. CDP was more comprehensive but took longer to complete.
The Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life scale (SAQOL-39g) showed very good reliability for group-level decision-making. It met construct validity criterion for all domains and total score. The Burden of Stroke Scale (BOSS) showed very good validity (content and construct), reliability and depth, and supportive group decision making for community-dwelling stroke patients. The BOSS and SAQOL-39g did not meet respondent burden and versatility criterion as they did not include visuals. The BOSS takes longer to complete than SAQOL-39g.
The Communication Integration Questionnaire modified for persons with aphasia is not recommended as a measure of health-related quality of life or physical functioning; instead, it assesses the ability to complete activities of daily living with or without support. It is a measure of social integration rather than social participation.
ASHA Quality of Communication Life Scale (QCL) met criteria for content validity, versatility, and burden. Convergent validity was limited. Only the floor effects depth criterion was met for QCL's total score. Internal consistency data were available for QCL total score, but not for the subscales. QCL total score met internal consistency criterion for group level decision-making. Data to support responsiveness was available. Norms were available for varying severity of aphasia, meeting criterion for interpretability. Detailed reference values were provided.
