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Evidence for the Validation of a Single Item Recovery Question (SIRQ) in Children With Mild and Complicated Mild
Colby R Hansen1, Masaru Teramoto1, James Gardner2
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Insights
This study validates the Single Item Recovery Question (SIRQ) for assessing recovery in children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or complicated mTBI (C-mTBI). The SIRQ effectively correlates with symptom burden and quality of life measures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Traumatic brain injury research
- Clinical assessment tools
Background:
- Brain injury recovery varies significantly among children.
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and complicated mTBI (C-mTBI) require reliable assessment tools.
- Parental input is crucial for evaluating pediatric recovery post-injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the concurrent validity of the Single Item Recovery Question (SIRQ) in children with mTBI or C-mTBI.
- To compare SIRQ scores with established measures of symptom burden (PCSI-P) and quality of life (PedsQL).
- To assess the utility of a parent-reported 10-point recovery scale.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to parents of children (5-18 years) with mTBI or C-mTBI.
- Pearson correlation coefficients calculated to assess associations between SIRQ, PCSI-P, and PedsQL.
- Hierarchical linear regression used to evaluate the predictive value of SIRQ with covariates.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations found between SIRQ and PCSI-P (r=-0.65) and PedsQL scores (all P < 0.001).
- Large effect sizes (r ≥ 0.500) observed, indicating strong associations.
- Covariates minimally impacted the predictive value of SIRQ.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary evidence supports the concurrent validity of the SIRQ for pediatric mTBI and C-mTBI.
- The SIRQ shows promise as a tool for assessing recovery in children post-brain injury.
- Parent-reported recovery measures can be valuable in clinical settings.
Background:
Recovery from a brain injury occurs in varying degrees. The objective of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of a parent-reported 10-point scale for degree of recovery, Single Item Recovery Question (SIRQ), in children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or complicated mTBI (C-mTBI) compared with validated assessments of symptom burden (Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory Parent form-PCSI-P) and quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory [PedsQL]).
Methods:
A survey was sent to parents of children aged five to 18 years who presented to pediatric level I trauma center with mTBI or C-mTBI. Data included parent-reported postinjury recovery and functioning of children. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to measure the associations of the SIRQ with the PCSI-P and the PedsQL. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to examine if covariates would increase the predictive value of the SIRQ to the PCSI-P and the PedsQL total scores.
Results:
Of 285 responses (175 mTBI and 110 C-mTBI) analyzed, Pearson correlation coefficients for the SIRQ to the PCSI-P (r = -0.65, P < 0.001) and PedsQL total and subscale scores were all significant (P < 0.001) with mostly large-sized effects (r ≥ 0.500), regardless of mTBI classification. Covariates, including mTBI classification, age, gender, and years since injury, resulted in minimum changes in the predictive value of the SIRQ to the PCSI-P and the PedsQL total scores.
Conclusions:
The findings demonstrate preliminary evidence for the concurrent validity of the SIRQ in pediatric mTBI and C-mTBI.
