Validation of the Nepali version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure Self-Report

Study design

A methodological study.

Objectives

To establish the criterion-related validity of the Nepali version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure Self-Report (SCIM-SR).

Setting

Outpatient Department of the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center and community of Province no. 3, Nepal.

Methods

Community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury were enrolled. Participants self-administered the Nepali version of the SCIM-SR while a clinician concurrently administered the SCIM III. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample, while Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Intraclass correlation coefficient assessed the association between the SCIM III and the Nepali version of the SCIM-SR. Bland Altman’s analysis determined the differences.

Results

The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for the total score was 0.961, self-care subscale was 0.590, respiration and sphincter management subscale was 0.897, and mobility subscale was 0.891. The ICC (2,1) and confidence interval for the total score, self-care subscale, respiration and sphincter management subscale, and mobility subscale were 0.989 (0.983–0.993), 0.873 (0.804–0.918), 0.955 (0.931–0.971) and 0.991 (0.987–0.994), respectively. The SCIM-SR scores were lower than the SCIM III in total and all subscale scores. The Bland-Altman’s difference for the total score, self-care subscale, respiration and sphincter management subscale, and mobility subscale were 2.55, 1.34, 0.83, and 0.38, respectively.

Conclusions

The Nepali version of the SCIM-SR was validated and can be used to evaluate the functional status of individuals with spinal cord injury in the community setting of Nepal.