Biomedical subjects

Flavia Steinberg

Publications and source records attributed to Flavia Steinberg.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Reliability of the Catz-Itzkovich Spinal Cord Independence Measure assessment by interview and comparison with observation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reliability of assessment with the Catz-Itzkovich Spinal Cord Independence Measure II (SCIM II) by interview and compare the findings with assessment by observation. DESIGN: In a cohort, comparative study, 28 inpatients with spinal cord lesions were assessed by two nurses using the Catz-Itzkovich SCIM II (interview) and by a multidisciplinary team (observation). RESULTS: Total agreement between interviewers ranged from 50% to 80% (Kappa coefficients 0.40-0.60). Pearson's coefficients of the correlation between scores obtained for the various SCIM subscales by interview or observation were 0.765-0.940 (P < 0.0001). The differences in mean scores obtained between the interview and observation methods were small and not statistically significant for most of the subscales. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the reliability of the Catz-Itzkovich SCIM assessment by interview and show it to be comparable with assessment by observation. The SCIM II interview may serve as an accurate measure of daily function in patients with spinal cord injury. However, with the sample of the study being relatively small, a larger scale examination is needed to generalize the results.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

Disability assessment by a single rater or a team: a comparative study with the Catz-Itzkovich spinal cord independence measure.

The Catz-Itzkovich Spinal Cord Independence Measure was found to be reliable and more sensitive than the FIM to functional changes, when used by a multidisciplinary team. This study was performed to find out whether assessment may be similar when done by a single rater. Twenty-eight patients with spinal cord lesions participated in the study, in which examinations performed within a week by a single nurse or a team were compared for correlation, differences and agreement. The team members scored their relevant fields. A significant correlation was found between the nurse's scoring and that of physiotherapists and occupational therapists (r = 0.82-0.94; p < 0.0001), and the differences between the mean scores were small. The agreement between raters was modest, however (total agreement 38-90%, Kappa 0.17-0.73). It was concluded that although disability assessment performed by a single nurse may not be as accurate as by a multidisciplinary team, it could be reliable and valid.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

[SCIM--spinal cord independence measure (version II): sensitivity to functional changes].

Until recently, the functional ability of patients with spinal cord lesions (SCL) was assessed by standardized scales designed for various disabilities. However, these scales have either a relatively low sensitivity to changes in the functions that are most important for SCL patients or a limited suitability for a specific SCL subgroup. To counter this problem the team of the Spinal Department of Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital developed the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), which is specific for SCL patients, adjusts for disadvantages of earlier scales, and is user-friendly. It was found to be reliable and more sensitive to functional changes in SCL patients than the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the most often used disability scale today. A second version (SCIM II) was constructed with improved phrasing of some of the components. It too, was found reliable, even more than the original version for certain functions. The present study examined the sensitivity of the SCIM II to changes in function in SCL patients compared to the FIM. Twenty-six patients with SCL underwent sequential SCIM II and FIM examinations during hospitalization for rehabilitation. A high correlation was found between the total scores of the two scales (r = 0.915; p < 0.0001). The mean change in function score from the first to the last examination was significantly larger with the SCIM II than with the FIM (p < 0.04), and the rate of detection of functional change was usually higher with the SCIM II. The advantage of the SCIM II over the FIM in detecting functional changes was evident in areas in which the two scales differ substantially. These results support the validity of the SCIM II. Studies with larger groups in different countries and cultures are still needed before the scale can be applied on an international basis.

Activities of Daily Living↗