Psychometric properties of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale (SAQOL-39) in a generic stroke population.
BACKGROUND
We previously developed the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life scale (SAQOL-39) and tested it with people with chronic aphasia. A scale allowing comparisons of quality of life between people with versus without aphasia post-stroke would be of value to clinicians.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the psychometrics of the SAQOL-39 in a generic stroke sample. Should this process result in a generic-stroke version of the scale (SAQOL-39g), a further aim is to compare the latter and the SAQOL-39 as tested in chronic aphasia.


METHODS
Repeated measures psychometric study, evaluating internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity and responsiveness to change. People admitted to hospital with a first stroke were assessed two weeks, three months and six months post stroke.


METHODS
SAQOL-39, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Barthel, Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test, General Health Questionnaire-12 and Frenchay Activities Index.


RESULTS
Of 126 eligible participants, 96 (76%) participated and 87 (69%) were able to self-report and are presented here. Testing the SAQOL-39 in generic stroke resulted in the SAQOL-39g, which has the same items as the SAQOL-39 but three domains: physical, psychosocial, communication. The SAQOL-39g showed good internal consistency (alpha = 0.95 overall score, 0.92-0.95 domains), test-retest reliability (interclass correlation (ICC) = 0.96 overall, 0.92-0.98 domains), convergent (r = 0.36-0.70 overall, 0.47-0.78 domains) and discriminant validity (r = 0.26 overall, 0.03-0.40 domains). It differentiated people by stroke severity and visual analogue scale (VAS)-defined quality of life. Moderate changes (d = 0.35-0.49; standardized response mean (SRM) = 0.29-0.53) from two weeks to six months supported responsiveness.


CONCLUSIONS
The SAQOL-39g demonstrated good reliability, validity and responsiveness to change. It can be used to evaluate quality of life in people with and without aphasia post stroke.
Hilari
Katerina
K
Department of Language and Communication Science, City University, London, UK. k.hilari@city.ac.uk
Lamping
Donna L
DL
Smith
Sarah C
SC
Northcott
Sarah
S
Lamb
Alice
A
Marshall
Jane
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001037:Aphasia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires