Translation, reliability, and validity of the trunk impairment scale in a Polish population after stroke.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to estimate the reliability and validity of the translated and culturally adapted Polish version of the Trunk Impairment Scale in post-stroke patients and to determine the strength of the relationship between trunk and upper limb physical function after stroke.

DESIGN

The Polish version of the Trunk Impairment Scale was developed through cultural adaptation. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and inter-rater reliability were determined, and construct validity was evaluated by analysing the Polish version of the Trunk Impairment Scale, the Polish version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale, and the Polish version of the Action Research Arm Test.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty patients with diagnosed stroke in the subacute and chronic stages.

RESULTS

The internal consistency for the Polish version of the Trunk Impairment Scale was excellent (α = 0.85-0.91). Test-retest and inter-rater reliability were almost perfect (ICC = 0.94-1.0, κ = 0.92-1.0). Construct validity was moderate (rho = 0.71-0.76). A moderate correlation was also found between the Polish version of the Trunk Impairment Scale and Polish version of the Action Research Arm Test total scores (rho = 0.60).

CONCLUSION

The Polish version of the Trunk Impairment Scale is a reliable and moderately valid outcome measure to assess trunk impairment in Polish stroke survivors. Trunk function is moderately related to gross and fine motor skills of the arm, hand, and fingers among individuals with stroke.