PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 10457735

Towards a composite scoring solution for the Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory.

K P Weinfurt·R Willke·H A Glick·K A Schulman
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Little research has been conducted towards the development and evaluation of a measure of quality of life specific to head/brain injury populations. Accordingly, we examined responses to the Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory in the context of a clinical trial for head injury patients (n = 655) conducted in 14 countries. To reduce the 66 item scale into a smaller number of composite scales, principal components analysis was conducted. Scales were constructed assessing four categories of symptoms: cognitive deficits, depression, aggression and somatization. The internal reliabilities (alpha coefficient) of the four scales were generally acceptable (range = 0.79-0.92). Scores on all four scales correlated significantly with patient-rated overall quality of life and all but the aggression scale correlated significantly with overall clinical severity. The need for more formal evaluation of this and other disease-specific measures is discussed.

Explore related subjects

Activities of Daily LivingAdultAggressionAnalysis of VarianceCraniocerebral TraumaFactor Analysis, StatisticalFemaleHealth StatusHumansMaleMental HealthNeuropsychological TestsQuality of LifeReproducibility of ResultsSeverity of Illness IndexSurveys and QuestionnairesJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

K P Weinfurt, R Willke, H A Glick, K A Schulman. 1999. Towards a composite scoring solution for the Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory.. https://doi.org/10.1023/a%3A1026411129270

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2001

Association between personal and environmental factors and the occurrence of handicap situations following a stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the potential role of environmental factors in the handicap creation process following a stroke. The objective of this study was to explore the presence of a relationship between environmental factors and the occurrence of handicap following a stroke, taking into consideration age and the level of impairments and disabilities. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study where data were collected 6 months after discharge from an intensive functional rehabilitation unit. A convenience sample of 51 participants was recruited at the time of their admission to the rehabilitation unit for rehabilitation post-stroke. Perceived influence of environmental factors was measured using the Measure of the Quality of the Environment (MQE). Handicap situations were measured with the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H). Impairments and disabilities comprised six domains (cognition, perception. depression, communication, sensorimotor function and comorbidity) assessed using a variety of measuring tools from which a composite score was derived. RESULTS: Fifty-one participants aged 40-97 years old took part in this study. Perceived obstacles in the environment, together with age and the level of impairments and disabilities, explained 58.9% of the variation in the LIFE-H (handicap level). Taken alone, the perceived obstacles (total score) explained 6.2%. The perceived facilitators (total score) in the environment were not found to be related to the presence of handicap situations. CONCLUSION: Increased level of impairments and disabilities. advanced age and perceived barriers in the physical and social environment contribute to the handicap creation process following a stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

Contractures in orthopaedic and neurological conditions: a review of causes and treatment.

PURPOSE: To examine the techniques used for the treatment of contracture in the context of current scientific knowledge of muscle. METHOD: Synthesis of data available from MEDLINE, RECAL, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and relevant texts. RESULTS: The development of contractures through immobilisation, muscle weakness and spasticity is described. The effects of passive stretching, continuous passive movement, serial plastering, splinting, electrical stimulation, botulinum injections and surgical tenotomies in the treatment of contractures in persons with neurological and orthopaedic conditions are identified. The strengths and weaknesses of these modalities are discussed. CONCLUSION: Predisposing factors persist after treatment of contractures thus for treatment to be effective long-term management programmes need to be developed. New treatment techniques, used in series or combined, offer the prospect of improved management of contracture. Scientific and clinical research is needed to investigate the effect of contracture treatment.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

Hand-arm vibration exposure influences performance of daily activities.

PURPOSE: Although much research has been performed on the effects of vibration on nerves, muscles and vascular structures, little is known of the effects that vibration exposure to handheld tools can give on the ability to perform activities of daily living. The objective of the present study was to analyse the consequences of vibration exposure on performance of daily activities. METHOD: In a total group of 105 exposed male workers, a standardized self-administered ADL questionnaire, the EDAQ including 102 activity items plus 22 diagnosis-specific activity items, was filled out. RESULTS: Forty-four workers (42%) expressed one or more difficulties in performing daily activities in the total study group. The data demonstrated that pain and reduced grip force showed a strong correlation with difficulties in performing daily activities. CONCLUSION: Working in a cold environment, using vibrating machines. handwriting, picking up small objects, opening lids, lifting and carrying were activities perceived as most difficult to accomplish.

Activities of Daily Living↗