Psychometric testing of the SF-36 Taiwan version on older stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the psychometric properties of the SF-36 Taiwan version on a sample of older stroke patients in Taiwan.


BACKGROUND
The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) has proven to be a valid and reliable instrument in evaluating outcomes among stroke patients in western countries; however, less is known regarding its value for Asian stroke patients.


METHODS
A descriptive correlational study design was used to explore the reliability and validity of the SF-36 Taiwan version.


METHODS
Older stroke patients (n = 87) from a medical centre in northern Taiwan were interviewed at the end of the first and sixth months after hospital discharge.


RESULTS
Items on each subscale of the SF-36 Taiwan version had similar standard deviations, supporting the scaling assumption of equal-item variance in measuring the same concept. Correlations between items and their subscale were generally >or=0.70 with a few being 0.50 or 0.60. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were >0.70 for almost all subscales, supporting internal consistency. At both the first and sixth months after discharge, participants had lower scores, especially on the physical- and social function-related scales, than the norm for older people. At both times, patients with physical dependence had lower scores across subscales than those without physical dependence, supporting construct validity.


CONCLUSIONS
The SF-36 Taiwan version demonstrated good reliability and validity when applied to stroke patients at either a transitional or stable time point after hospital discharge. However, the SF-36 Taiwan version has a potential to underestimate changes in certain domains due to floor or ceiling effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care providers who deal with Taiwanese/Chinese stroke patients can use the SF-36 Taiwan version to assess health outcomes at either a transitional or a stable time point after hospital discharge.
Lotus Shyu
Yea-Ing
YI
School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan. yeaing@mail.cgu.edu.tw
Lu
Jui-Fen Rachel
JF
Chen
Sien-Tsong
ST