Adaptation and validation of the Japanese version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) self-report

Psychometric study, cross-sectional validation study.

To adapt and validate the Japanese version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure self-report (SCIM-SR).

A spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation facility in Japan.

We adapted the SCIM-SR for the Japanese population by translating and validating the questionnaire in accordance with the international guidelines. Following this, we analyzed 100 inpatients with SCI. We evaluated their independence using the Japanese SCIM-SR, and compared the data with those assessed using the SCIM III by trained ward nurses.

Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were 0.95 for the total score, 0.89 for self-care, 0.83 for respiration and sphincter management, and 0.89 for mobility subscores. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed no significant proportional bias (-0.02; 95% CI [-0.07, 0.06]), but a significant fixed bias (2; 95% CI [0.5, 3.5]). We did not identify any specific factor that affected the differences between SCIM III and SCIM-SR scores.

Our study validated the Japanese version of SCIM-SR as a tool for the evaluation of the independence of persons with SCI, which could substitute SCIM III and help facilitate a deeper understanding of activities of daily living among patients with SCI.