Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke
Published on: January 7, 2019
The utility of the Stroke Aphasia Depression Questionnaire (SADQ) in a stroke rehabilitation unit
L Leeds1, R J Meara, J P Hobson
1Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Wales, Bangor, UK. lesleyleeds@hotmail.com
Objective:
To determine the utility of an observer-based rating scale to detect depression in patients without aphasia.
Design:
Correlation analysis between the Stroke Aphasia Depression Questionnaire, shortened version (SADQ-10) and a validated self-rating measure of depression, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The sensitivity and specificity of the SADQ-10 were also calculated.
Setting:
Stroke rehabilitation unit.
Subjects:
Sixty-five stroke patients without significant aphasia undergoing rehabilitation.
Interventions:
All patients were assessed with the GDS-15 and the SADQ-10.
Results:
The SADQ-10 at a cut-point of 14 out of 30 had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 77% to detect depression. This measure demonstrated good internal consistency but showed only a modest correlation with the GDS-15 (r = 0.40, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
In the population under study the SADQ-10 did not appear to be a valid measure of depression compared with the GDS and, therefore, may not be suitable for use in patients without significant aphasia.
