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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Development of a Language-Independent Functional Evaluation
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 90, No. 12, Year 2009
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Description
Haig AJ, Jayarajan S, Maslowski E, Yamakawa KS, Tinney M, Beier KP, Juang D, Chan L, Boggess T, Loar J, Owusu-Ansah B, Kalpakjian C. Development of a language-independent functional evaluation. Objective: To design, validate, and critique a tool for self-report of physical functioning that is independent of language and literacy. Design: Software design and 2 prospective trials followed by redesign. Setting: United States and African university hospitals. Participants: Outpatient and inpatient competent adults with diverse physical impairments. Interventions: (1) Software design process leading to a Preliminary Language-Independent Functional Evaluation (Pre-L.I.F.E.); (2) patient surveys using a printed Pre-L.I.F.E. and a computer-animated Pre-L.I.F.E. tested in random order, followed by a questionnaire version of the standard Barthel Index; and (3) software redesign based on objective and qualitative experiences with Pre-L.I.F.E. Main Outcome Measures: Validation of the general concept that written and spoken language can be eliminated in assessment of function. Development of a refined Language-Independent Functional Evaluation (L.I.F.E.). Results: A viable Pre-L.I.F.E. software was built based on design parameters of the clinical team. Fifty Americans and 51 Africans demonstrated excellent (Cronbach α>0.8 Americans) and good (α>.425 Africans) reliability. In general, the relations between Pre-L.I.F.E. and Barthel scores were excellent in the United States (interclass correlation coefficient for stair climbing, .959) but somewhat less good in Africa, with elimination functions very poorly related. The computer-animated Pre-L.I.F.E. was faster and trended to be more reliable than the printed Pre-L.I.F.E. in both the United States and Africa. Redesign meetings corrected statistical and qualitative challenges, resulting in a new tool, the L.I.F.E. Conclusions: Literacy and language translation can be eliminated from some aspects of functional assessment. The new L.I.F.E., based on solid empirical evidence and design principles, may be a practical solution to assessment of function in the global culture. © 2009 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Authors & Co-Authors
Haig, Andrew J.
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Jayarajan, Senthil
United States, Philadelphia
Temple Health
Maslowski, Eric
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Yamakawa, Karen S.
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Tinney, M. J.
United States, Huntington
Huntington State Hospital
Beier, Klaus P.
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Juang, Derek
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Chan, Lilliene
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Boggess, Tony
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Loar, Jesse
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Owusu-Ansah, Bertha
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Kalpakjian, Claire
United States, Ann Arbor
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Statistics
Citations: 12
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.apmr.2009.05.025
ISSN:
00039993
Research Areas
Disability
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Qualitative