Assessing self-reported spontaneous lower-extremity use in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury: content validity of the Lower Extremity Motor Activity Log (LE-MAL).

STUDY

DESIGN

A validity study.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the content validity of the Lower Extremity Motor Activity Log (LE-MAL) for assessing spontaneous lower-extremity use in individuals with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D). Additionally, the remote application of the LE-MAL was tested.

SETTING

Community-based video calls (SCIR-Group/UDESC, Brazil).

METHODS

The content validity study was conducted based on COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN). A panel of end-users composed of individuals with SCI/D and rehabilitation professionals was interviewed about the relevance, comprehensiveness, and comprehensibility of the LE-MAL items by video call. The content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated for each item, and the content validity index (CVI) was calculated for the overall instrument. The items were considered to have adequate content validity if CVR ≥ 0.54 and the instrument to have adequate content validity if CVI > 0.80. Data on the percentage of individuals able to complete the instrument and the time taken to do so were used in the remote application feasibility analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-six participants were interviewed, 13 individuals with SCI/D and 13 rehabilitation professionals. All items obtained a CVR ≥ 0.54, and the CVI was 0.95. All participants completed the LE-MAL remotely, with a median time of 21 min.

CONCLUSIONS

The LE-MAL presents adequate content validity for evaluating the spontaneous use of the lower extremities during mobility activities in real world settings among individuals with incomplete SCI/D. Additionally, LE-MAL is feasible for remote application via video calls.