title: Feasibility and Psychometric Properties of the Adjusted DSWAL-QoL Questionnaire for Dysphagic Patients with Additional Language and/or Cognitive Impairment: Part I.
abstract: The Swallowing Quality-of-Life questionnaire (SWAL-QoL) is considered the gold standard for assessing health-related quality of life in people with dysphagia. However, many dysphagic patients struggle to complete this questionnaire because of additional functional sequelae such as language impairment and cognitive disorders. In this study, we sought to develop an adjusted Dutch version of the SWAL-QoL (aDSWALQoL) and to evaluate its psychometric properties and feasibility compared with the original questionnaire. We developed the aDSWAL-QoL based on recommendations from previous literature. The feasibility, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion validity of the aDSWAL-QoL were evaluated in 78 dysphagic patients, among whom 43 had additional language and/or cognitive impairments (DysLC). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0. The aDSWAL-QoL had a higher degree of feasibility for the DysLC group. We obtained high Cronbach's α coefficients for total scale and for almost all subscales. Total aDSWAL-QoL scores showed excellent testretest agreement and good criterion validity with respect to the DSWAL-QoL. Almost all subscales showed significantly moderate to good test-retest agreement and criterion validity. However, the psychometric properties of the 'Food selection' subscale were inadequate. The aDSWAL-QoL is a feasible, reliable, and valid tool for use with DysLC patients. Conversion of the aDSWAL-QoL into an audio computer-assisted self-administered format should be investigated. The construct validity of the aDSWAL-QoL will be evaluated in a separate report.
authors.affiliation: University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. ingeborg.simpelaere@vives.be.|Department of Speech-Language Pathology AZ Delta Hospital, Menen, VIVES University College, Bruges, Belgium. ingeborg.simpelaere@vives.be.
authors.forename: Ingeborg S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Simpelaere
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Saint-Pierre University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.|Thomas More University College, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanderwegen
authors.affiliation: Department of Scientific Coordination and Biostatistics, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.|Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Rehabilitation Centre for Communication Disorders, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.|Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.|Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Bodt
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Rehabilitation Centre for Communication Disorders, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.|Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.|Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Nuffelen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Cognition disorders; Deglutition; Deglutition disorders; Feasibility; Language disorders; Psychometrics; SWAL-QoL