Assessing physical disability in children with spina bifida and scoliosis.

The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess physical disability related to the spine in children with spina bifida and scoliosis and their families. Eighty-eight items were generated from a review of the literature and interviews with clinicians, parents, and children with spina bifida and scoliosis. Items were reviewed by 40 children and ranked. After eliminating redundant items, the top 25 items were formatted into a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire, completed 2 weeks apart, demonstrated "excellent" test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.88). Construct validity was established by high correlation with a validated scale of overall disability: the Activities Scale for Kids (r = 0.86, p < 0.01) and by correlations with global assessment of function. In conclusion, the Spina Bifida Spine Questionnaire is a valid and reliable questionnaire and can be used to assess the outcomes of treatment for children with spina bifida and scoliosis.