Communication outcome after stroke: a new measure of the carer's perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To validate a measure of the carer's perspective of a stroke survivor's communication in everyday life.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, interview-based, psychometric study.


METHODS
A community sample from the northwest of England, UK.


METHODS
Fifty-eight carers and 58 stroke survivors with communication problems (aphasia and/or dysarthria) following a stroke within the previous 4-12 months.


METHODS
Administration of the 20-item Carer Communication Outcome after Stroke (Carer COAST) scale, on two occasions, within a two-week period; the 15-item Carers of Older People in Europe (COPE) Index, the patient Communication Outcome after Stroke (COAST) Scale, and collection of demographic and other data relating to the stroke survivor's disability (Barthel Index), degree of aphasia (Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test) and hospital diagnosis of aphasia/dysarthria.


METHODS
Acceptability (missing values), reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability) and construct validity.


RESULTS
Carer COAST showed good acceptability (no incomplete items, sample spread 24-100%), internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the scale (a = 0.94; intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.91) and its subscales (a = 0.78-0.90; ICC = 0.75-0.87), and indicative evidence on construct validity (Carer COAST, COPE subscales and COAST). There were statistically significant correlations between the communication items of Carer COAST and the negative impact of caregiving (r(s) = -0.29) and the financial difficulties of caregiving (r(s) = -0.38).


CONCLUSIONS
The Carer COAST scale has considerable potential as a reliable and valid measure of the carer's perspective on the communication effectiveness of stroke survivors. Intercorrelations with COPE provide specific evidence of the impact of caring for a person with communication difficulties following a stroke.
Long
Andrew
A
School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Rm 3.10, Baines Wing, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. a.f.long@leeds.ac.uk
Hesketh
Anne
A
Bowen
Audrey
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001037:Aphasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D017028:Caregivers; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation