title: Validation of the ICF core set for neuromuscular diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding of the consequences of a neuromuscular disease (NMD) can improve when a valid sample of disease-specific categories based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities, and Health (ICF) is available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the content validity of the initial ICF Core Set for neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). The initial ICF Core Set was developed for three chronic neurological diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative method.
  
  
  METHODS
  To examine the content validity of the initial ICF Core Set for NMD, concepts in established disease-specific health-related Quality of Life Questionnaires (HRQOL) were compared with ICF categories. Next, the selected ICF categories were linked to the ICF categories in the initial ICF Core Set.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All concepts in the HRQOL questionnaires, except one body function concept, were covered by the initial ICF Core Set. However, the NMD Core Set reflects a broader scope concerning health problems than the concepts in the HRQOL questionnaires do, especially concerning the "Participation" and "Environmental Factors" components.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NMD Core Set, as well as a measurement based on this Core Set, can contribute to a better understanding of the consequences of NMDs and can also serve as a basis for clinical practice, research, social security systems, and educational programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The newly developed NMD Core Set can be a basis for enhancing the development of rehabilitation interventions and improving overall health care for patients with a NMD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. i.bos@umcg.nl
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Stallinga
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Middel
authors.forename: J B M
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kuks
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wynia
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000145:classification*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires