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Psychometric properties of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale (SAQOL-39) in a generic stroke population

¹ Department of Language and Communication Science, City University, London, UK
² Health Services Research Unit, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
³ The Royal Free NHS Trust, London, UK

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: k.hilari{at}city.ac.uk.

	Abstract

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.

Objectives: 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.

Design and subjects: 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.

Measures: 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 ( = 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.

First published on May 15, 2009, doi:10.1177/0269215508101729

Clinical Rehabilitation 2009;23:544.

A more recent version of this article appeared on June 1, 2009


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