The feasibility and test-retest reliability of the Dutch Swal-Qol adapted interview version for dysphagic patients with communicative and/or cognitive problems.
OBJECTIVE
The adaptation of the Dutch Swal-Qol questionnaire to an interview format suitable for dysphagic patients with communicative and/or cognitive problems and evaluation of the feasibility and test-retest reliability.


METHODS
An observational study with two measurements within a 2-week time period in a sample of 57 stroke patients with dysphagia in a nursing home environment. The interview version of the Swal-Qol was evaluated in the total group and in subgroups of patients with and without communicative and/or cognitive problems.


RESULTS
The constructed interview version was considered feasible from an expert's and patient's point of view. The overall score and seven subscales of the Swal-Qol showed an excellent test-retest reliability (k > 0.75), and two subscales were considered good (k > 0.60).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that using a structured, and at the same time flexible, interview format tailored to the individual needs of stroke patients enhances the feasibility and does not compromise the test-retest reliability.
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Heerlen, The Netherlands. je.lemmens@hszuyd.nl
Jessie
J
Lemmens
Gerrie J J W
GJ
Bours
Martien
M
Limburg
Anna J H M
AJ
Beurskens
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires