Pei-Chi Hsiao1, Wan-Hui Yu2, Shih-Chieh Lee3, Mei-Hsiang Chen4,5, Ching-Lin Hsieh6,3,7. 1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan. 2. Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. 3. School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. School of Occupational Therapy, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. 5. Occupational Therapy Room, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. 6. Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan - clhsieh@ntu.edu.tw. 7. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The responsiveness and predictive validity of the Tablet-based Symbol Digit Modalities Test (T-SDMT) are unknown, which limits the utility of the T-SDMT in both clinical and research settings. AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the responsiveness and predictive validity of the T-SDMT in inpatients with stroke. DESIGN: A follow-up, repeated-assessments design. SETTING: One rehabilitation unit at a local medical center. POPULATION: A total of 50 inpatients receiving rehabilitation completed T-SDMT assessments at admission to and discharge from a rehabilitation ward. METHODS: The median follow-up period was 14 days. The Barthel index (BI) was assessed at discharge and was used as the criterion of the predictive validity. RESULTS: The mean changes in the T-SDMT scores between admission and discharge were statistically significant (paired t-test = 3.46, P=0.001). The T-SDMT scores showed a nearly moderate standardized response mean (0.49). A moderate association (Pearson's r =0.47) was found between the scores of the T-SDMT at admission and those of the BI at discharge, indicating good predictive validity of the T-SDMT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the responsiveness and predictive validity of the T-SDMT in patients with stroke receiving rehabilitation in hospitals. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This study provides empirical evidence supporting the use of the T-SDMT as an outcome measure for assessing processing speed in inpatients with stroke. The scores of the T-SDMT could be used to predict basic activities of daily living function in inpatients with stroke.
BACKGROUND: The responsiveness and predictive validity of the Tablet-based Symbol Digit Modalities Test (T-SDMT) are unknown, which limits the utility of the T-SDMT in both clinical and research settings. AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the responsiveness and predictive validity of the T-SDMT in inpatients with stroke. DESIGN: A follow-up, repeated-assessments design. SETTING: One rehabilitation unit at a local medical center. POPULATION: A total of 50 inpatients receiving rehabilitation completed T-SDMT assessments at admission to and discharge from a rehabilitation ward. METHODS: The median follow-up period was 14 days. The Barthel index (BI) was assessed at discharge and was used as the criterion of the predictive validity. RESULTS: The mean changes in the T-SDMT scores between admission and discharge were statistically significant (paired t-test = 3.46, P=0.001). The T-SDMT scores showed a nearly moderate standardized response mean (0.49). A moderate association (Pearson's r =0.47) was found between the scores of the T-SDMT at admission and those of the BI at discharge, indicating good predictive validity of the T-SDMT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the responsiveness and predictive validity of the T-SDMT in patients with stroke receiving rehabilitation in hospitals. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This study provides empirical evidence supporting the use of the T-SDMT as an outcome measure for assessing processing speed in inpatients with stroke. The scores of the T-SDMT could be used to predict basic activities of daily living function in inpatients with stroke.