Reliability of the International Spinal Cord Injury Musculoskeletal Basic Data Set

Psychometric study.

To determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability and content validity of the International Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Musculoskeletal Basic Data Set (ISCIMSBDS).

Four centers with one in each of the countries in Australia, England, India and the United States of America.

A total of 117 participants with a C2 to S1 neurological level and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A to D injury were recruited. The median (interquartile range) time since injury was 9 years (2-29). Fifty-seven participants were assessed by the same assessor, and 60 participants were assessed by two different assessors on two different occasions to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability, respectively. Kappa statistics or crude agreement was used to measure reliability. Content validity was assessed through focus group interviews of people with SCI and health-care professionals.

The intra-rater reliability ranged from κ=0.62 to 1.00 and crude agreement from 75% to 100% for each of the variables on the ISCIMSBDS. The inter-rater reliability ranged from κ=-0.25 to 1.00, with a diverse crude agreement ranging from 0% to 100%. The inter-rater reliability was unsatisfactory for the following variables: 'Date of fracture', 'Fragility fractures', 'Scoliosis, method of assessment', 'Other musculoskeletal problems' and 'Do any of the above musculoskeletal challenges interfere with your activities of daily living (transfers, walking, dressing, showers, etc.)?'. Results from validity discussions implied no major suggestions for changes.

Overall, the ISCIMSBDS is reliable and valid, although 5 of the 12 variables may benefit from further refinement.