The validation of the Subjective Index of Physical and Social Outcome (SIPSO).
OBJECTIVE
To validate the Subjective Index of Physical and Social Outcome (SIPSO) in its final 10-item version as a measure of reintegration to pre-stroke lifestyle.


METHODS
Postal and interview administration of questionnaires.


METHODS
SIPSO, Functional Limitations Profile (FLP), Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI).


METHODS
Community setting, Bath, UK.


METHODS
Two hundred and sixty-one survivors of stroke discharged from a district general hospital.


RESULTS
Internal consistency (item-total correlations >0.6) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.96) of the measure were confirmed. Construct validity was confirmed through significant correlations with the six subsections of the FLP and the RNLI. Confirmatory factor analysis of the measure found that the first five items form a robust subscale that clearly relates to physical function. The items within the second subscale (questions 6-10) measure several domains (social, leisure, self-image) and do not form a homogeneous group. The SIPSO was able to detect an improvement in integration within a sample of patients over a three-month period soon after discharge (effect size = 0.26). The hypothesis that the degree of improvement experienced by patients following discharge from hospital would be small, but should be detectable was confirmed. The agreement between proxy and patient on the SIPSO was acceptable for individual items (kappa value range = 3.1-5.8) and total score (ICC = 0.96).


CONCLUSIONS
The SIPSO is a brief self-complete measure, with proven validity and reliability, which addresses both quantitative and qualitative aspects of activities and interaction. It provides a useful measure for evaluating rehabilitation programmes that aim to reintegrate patients to their pre-stroke lifestyle. The authors suggest that the SIPSO should be used as a 10-item measure.
Trigg
Richard
R
Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK. R.Trigg@bath.ac.uk
Wood
Victorine A
VA
D000368:Aged; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020521:Stroke; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires