Psychometric properties of the Parkinson's disease Questionnaire-39 and its short form Parkinson's disease Questionnaire-8: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects Quality of Life (QoL), since it is responsible for cognitive impairment, non-motor, and motor symptoms. Outcome measures are fundamental for evaluating treatment's effect on QoL over time. This systematic review aimed to identify the psychometric properties of PDQ-39 and PDQ-8 in the different populations in which they were validated. The electronic databases systematically searched are MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science; the research was conducted in July 2023. The psychometric properties considered were those of the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. Risk of bias was assessed using the COSMIN checklist. The search identified 1306 articles. 398 duplicates were eliminated; 908 articles were analyzed reading title and abstract; 799 were finally excluded because used PDQ-39 and PDQ-8 as outcome measures or were not dealing with psychometric properties; 66 articles were excluded after reading the full text. 43 articles were included in the review; meta-analysis showed all the Cronbach's alpha values were statistically significant for all the subscales of PDQ-39 and PDQ-8. PDQ-39 demonstrated to be a specific HRQoL questionnaire that is correlated with generic HRQoL questionnaires, in fact in many studies included in the review, correlations with SF-36 were found. In the last studies about psychometric properties of PDQ-8 emerged that it is a practical and informative instrument that can be easily used in clinical settings, especially in busy ones, but also in large-scale studies in which a brief instrument would be preferred.

A therapist-administered self-report version of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI): a psychometric study.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a self-report version of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II) and to test its reliability and validity. STUDY DESIGN: Psychometric study. SETTING: Spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation centres in Australia and Italy. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty people with SCI were recruited from a sample of convenience. METHODS: Two self-report versions of the WISCI II were developed. Both versions were administered in English at the Australian site, and in Italian at the Italian site through an online platform. The format of the first self-report version (SR-V1) was similar to the original face-to-face WISCI II. The second self-report version (SR-V2) had more questions, but each question required participants to focus on one aspect of walking at a time. Participants completed SR-V1 and SR-V2 with assistance from research physiotherapists on two separate occasions, three to seven days apart. The original WISCI II was then administered through a face-to-face assessment by an independent physiotherapist. The intra-rater reliability and validity of SR-V1 and SR-V2 were determined with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and percent close agreements. RESULTS: The data from the Australian and Italian sites were pooled. The validity and reliability of the two self-report versions were very similar, with SR-V2 performing slightly better than SR-V1. The ICC (95% confidence interval) of SR-V2 was 0.87 (0.81-0.92). The ICC reflecting the agreement between the self-report and the face-to-face WISCI was 0.89 (0.84-0.93). CONCLUSION: Both versions of the self-report WISCI II provide a reasonable substitute for a face-to-face assessment although therapists preferred SR-V2.

Clinical variables influencing the perception of fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study using FSIQ-RMS.

BACKGROUND: Physical fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Several factors might influence the development of fatigue, such as gender, education, body mass index (BMI), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration, working status (Ws), physiotherapy (Ph), and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Fatigue Symptoms and Impacts Questionnaire-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (FSIQ-RMS) is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) that allows one to define the impact of fatigue in PwMS clearly. This study aimed to assess fatigue impact on PwMS by using FSIQ-RMS. METHODS: The participants were enrolled from May to July 2021 in MS Centers of Sant'Andrea Hospital and Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome. Fatigue was evaluated using the FSIQ-RMS, validated, and culturally adapted in Italian. Clinical and demographic data were collected at the same time. RESULTS: We enrolled 178 PwMS [Female 74.16%; RMS 82.58%, SPMS 17.52%]. FSIQ-RMS scores were significantly correlated with EDSS (p-value < 0.01). Analysis of variance between means showed a statistically significant difference between the BMI groups at the 24hours_FSIQ-RMS score and the 7days_FSIQ-RMS score (p < 0.01), with the lower BMI group having the highest scores. Furthermore, perceived fatigue significantly improved both in subjects performing Ph (p < 0.05) and in those who actively work (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of FSIQ-RMS in a real-world setting confirmed that underweight and high levels of disability are closely related to fatigue. In addition, Ph and active Ws are strongly correlated with fatigue in PwMS.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) in a Population of Professional Basketball Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders affect a large portion of the population worldwide. The musculoskeletal health questionnaire is a helpful tool for assessing the health state of patients with these disorders. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the MSK_HQ-IT in a population of professional basketball players. The secondary aim is to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Material and Methods: The study was performed from September to October 2022. The questionnaire was completed using an online or paper form, to which personal data were collected. Data were collected by submitting a translated version of the musculoskeletal health questionnaire directly to professional athletes. Results: A total of 63 basketball players were recruited. Regarding functional limitations, the body parts mentioned by the sample were the left ankle (23.8%) and the right ankle (17.5%), followed by the lumbar column and right hip (15.9%). Regarding pain, the data are more homogeneous, with a distribution in line with functional limitations. A peak of pain was perceived in the left foot, with a mean score of 4. Cronbach's alpha showed a value of 0.85. Conclusions: The musculoskeletal health questionnaire shows promising results in evaluating the health state of a population of professional athletes. Further studies are needed to enlarge the sample and possibly open it to more categories of professional sports.

Assessment of Psychometric Characteristics of Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale 2 and Analysis of a Cut-Off Score for Detecting Insomnia in Italian Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Validation Study.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep disorders are frequent non-motor symptoms affecting patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Insomnia represents the most common sleep disorder. Parkinson's disease Sleep Scale 2 (PDSS-2) is a specific tool to investigate sleep problems in PD. The General Sleep Disturbances Scale (GSDS) was a general scale validated for the Italian population. Our goal was to assess the psychometric characteristics of PDSS-2 and the GSDS in this population, calculating a cut-off score for insomnia symptoms by using subitems of PDSS-2. METHODS: Patients admitted at the PD Unit of the Hospital of Rome Tor Vergata outpatient clinic and those afferent to PD associations were asked to complete PDSS-2 and GSDS to be correlated to identify a cut-off for insomnia symptoms. Items 1,2,3,8,13 of PDSS-2 were used to detect insomnia. An ROC curve to assess a cut-off score for insomnia was determined. A cross-cultural analysis of PD population characteristics was performed. RESULTS: In total, 350 PD patients were recruited. Cronbach's alpha was high for the total score (0.828 for PDSS-2 and 0.832 for GSDS). A cross-cultural analysis did not show any significant p-value. The ROC curve yielded an AUC of 0.79 (CI: 0.75-0.84). The cut-off value for insomnia disorder based on items 1,2,3,8,13 of PDSS-2 was >10, demonstrating a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 69% in determining the presence of subjective insomnia symptoms in PD. DISCUSSION: PDSS-2 is demonstrated to be a valid, specific tool to address sleep disturbances in PD patients. A cut-off score of 10 for items 1,2,3,8,13 was identified for detecting insomnia symptoms in PD patients.

Motor Development of Children in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Parent Survey.

The actual literature highlights the importance of the socio-cultural context in the development of children. However, there is a lack of specific evidence about the middle East, especially regarding the development of Kurdish children who are living in a post-war scenario, in a country which is experiencing continuous instability due to the different crises. The main aim of this study is to identify the features of the motor development of Kurdish children according to parents' opinion. A comparison with Italian children is provided as a Western example, which reflects data from the literature. In the study, 331 parents of Kurdish and Italian children aged between 3 and 7 years were involved. Parents filled the questionnaire at kindergartens, after providing consent. The questionnaire was conceptualized, designed, tested and provided ad hoc for this study; it focused on the timing of development, concerning major milestones like head control, sitting and standing-up. The questionnaire consists of 15 questions and has not been standardized yet. A logistic regression showed several differences between Kurdish and Italian children, like head control (p = 0.007) or the manipulation of big objects (p < 0.0001). These results identify the effect of the socio-cultural context and the impact of the growing environment of the child. Moreover, the results of this survey show the need for introducing different adapted, translated and validated assessment tools for motor development, considering differences related to the socio-cultural context.

Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians-Italian Version (MPIIQM-IT): Multicenter Validation, Translation and Cultural Adaptation.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and test the psychometric properties of the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians (MPIIQM) in an Italian population of professional and amateur musicians. METHODS: The translation and cultural adaptation process followed international guidelines, while the reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed against the COSMIN checklist. The internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha (a) coefficient. Construct validity was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal axis factoring (PAF) extraction. The sample adequacy and data suitability were assessed through the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett's sphericity tests, respectively. Concurrent validity was analyzed by assessing Pearson's correlation coefficient with the Italian version of the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ-I). Finally, the cross-cultural validity was investigated by analyzing score differences between amateur and professional musicians, and differences based on musical practice habits. RESULTS: The tool was administered to 311 subjects recruited from across Italy. The MPIIQM-IT was found to have high levels of internal consistency for the entire tool and each of the two subscales (Cronbach's a = 0.875, 0.877, and 0.845, respectively). The recruited sample was found to be adequate (KMO = 0.810) and the data suitable (C2 = 341.040, p < 0.001) for factor analysis, which produced 9 items contained in two main factors. Pearson's correlation coefficients showed a positive, statistically significant correlation between the MSK-HQ-I and the two subscales of the MPIIQM-IT with p < 0.01. Analysis of Student's t-test for independent samples and the ANOVA test for continuous variables showed statistically significant differences between male and female, professional and non-professional musicians, and conservatory and non-conservatory students. CONCLUSIONS: The MPIIQM-IT is a valid and reliable tool, useful for investigating the presence of pain and playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) in both professional and non-professional musicians.

Evaluation instruments for executive functions in children and adolescents: an update of a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to update a systematic review of instruments for evaluating the executive functions (EFs) in a pediatric population to assess their measurement properties. AREA COVERED: Studies describing evaluation tools of EFs were systematically searched on four electronic databases: PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science. To be included studies had to be on a population aged 0 to 18 were included. The individuals were either healthy or presented a neurodevelopment disorder. Risk of Bias was evaluated through the Consensus-based Standards to select the health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). EXPERT OPINION: The search was conducted on April 2023. Eighty-four papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study; the studies refer to 72 different evaluation tools of EFs. Most of the studies analyzed through a methodological quality analysis received an 'adequate' score. The instrument most mentioned was the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF2) in seven articles.

Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of the Toileting Habit Profile Questionnaire-Revised (THPQ-R) in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often seem not to feel the need to go to the bathroom in whatever context they are in and may suffer from hypo-responsiveness. Recent studies show a correlation between sensory problems, constipation, and fecal incontinence in children. This requires an assessment tool to identify evacuation issues in children with sensory dysfunction. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to validate the Italian version of The Toileting Habit Profile Questionnaire-Revised (THPQ-R) in children with ASD. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were a confirmed diagnosis of ASD and an age between 3 and 8 years old. The Toileting Habit Profile Questionnaire Revised (THPQ-R) was recently validated in the Italian language on a healthy population. The Italian version has 17 items with two alternative response options, frequently/always or never/rarely, based on how often the behavior occurs. The THPQ-R questionnaire is easy to administer, interpret, and manage. For concurrent validity, we used the Italian version of the Sensory Processing Measure and Sensory Processing Measure-Preschool. RESULTS: For the THPQ-R validation, 43 participants were recruited. The internal consistency, reporting an α value of 0.763, showed that the THPQ-R was a very reliable scale. The THPQ-R appears to be correlated only with the domains "Social Participation T-point", "Hearing T-point", and "Planning and Ideas T-point". However, these correlations are not statistically significant. Conclusion: The THPQ-R highlights positive results regarding validity and reliability and shows a positive correlation between defecation disorders and social participation.

Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI): Italian Translation and Validation.

Food selectivity is among the most common problems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The present study aims to validate the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) in an Italian population of children with ASD. BAMBI was translated and cross-culturally adapted following international guidelines, then we investigated internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability, as measured by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) in a sample of both children with ASD and with typical development (TD). A total of 131 children were recruited in a clinical and community sample. Internal consistency revealed significant data for both TD and ASD children, with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.86 and 0.71, respectively. Test-retest reliability showed excellent values for each item of the BAMBI (range 0.83-1.00). Furthermore, we investigated differences in gender and body max index; however, no significant differences were found among groups. In conclusion, the Italian version of the BAMBI showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability and it can be used for clinical and research purposes.

Occupational Therapy Intervention in the Child with Leukodystrophy: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: There are many different types of Leukodystrophies. Specifically, children with hypomyelination and congenital cataract syndrome (HCC) in addition to motor retardation development, hypotonia and progressive spastic paraplegia, associated with cerebellar ataxia and peripheral neuropathy, have early bilateral cataracts and intellectual disability as pathognomonic symptoms. HCC rehabilitation treatment is not well defined, but a significant amount of evidence in the literature has demonstrated the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) treatment in children with similar symptomatology. For this reason, the aim of this study was to describe the improvement in the autonomies and social participation of a child with HCC following OT treatment. METHODS: A.E. was a 9-year-old child with HCC with severe intellectual disability. OT intervention lasted 3 months biweekly and each session lasted 45 min. Each session was divided into two parts: The first part aimed to increase the child's active involvement through activities; the second part involved training in Activities of Daily living (ADL). The outcome measures were: ABILHAND-Kids; Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory; Comprehensive OT Evaluation Scale; ADL and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. RESULTS: A.E.'s outcome measure reported an improvement from an autonomy standpoint and in the child's general activity participation; there was also an increase in A.E.'s interpersonal skills. CONCLUSION: OT treatment improved A.E.'s autonomy.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6)-Italian Version.

Since foot posture is one of the main predictors of lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, it is crucial to use appropriate tools to define the foot's posture. The Foot Posture Index is, therefore, a reliable method to measure foot posture and is widely known and used in clinics and research. This study aimed to translate the Foot Posture Index 6 (FPI6) into Italian and to assess its psychometric properties. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation were obtained using a popular guideline. Two examinators assessed 68 subjects, and data were collected to test intra/inter-rater reliability, internal consistency and cross-cultural validity. The Italian version of FPI6 showed excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability (ICC 0.96 and 0.97), and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.9, thus showing excellent internal consistency. The FPI-6 version has proved to be reliable in terms of inter- and intra-rater reliability and can, therefore, be used in clinical practice and scientific research.

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (NFOG-Q-IT) in people with Parkinson disease: a validity and reliability study.

INTRODUCTION: Freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is a challenging clinical symptom to assess, due to its episodic nature. A valid and reliable tool is the New FOG Questionnaire (NFOG-Q) used worldwide to measure FOG symptoms in PD. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate, to culturally adapt, and to test the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the NFOG-Q (NFOG-Q-It). METHODS: The translation and cultural adaptation was based on ISPOR TCA guidelines to finalize the 9-item NFOG-Q-It. Internal consistency was assessed in 181 Italian PD native speakers who experienced FOG using Cronbach's alpha. Cross-cultural analysis was tested using the Spearman's correlation between the NFOG-Q-It and the Modified Hoehn-Yahr Scale (M-H&Y). To assess construct validity, correlations among NFOG-Q-It, Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), the 6-min Walking Test (6MWT), the Mini Balance Evaluation System Test (Mini-BESTest) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were investigated. RESULTS: The Italian N-FOGQ had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.859). Validity analysis showed significant correlations between NFOG-Q-IT total score and M-H&Y scores (r = 0.281 p < 0.001), MDS-UPDRS (r = 0.359 p < 0.001), FES-I (r = 0.230 p = 0.002), Mini BESTest (r = -0.256 p = 0.001) and 6MWT (r = -0.166 p = 0.026). No significant correlations were found with SPPB, MOCA and MMSE. CONCLUSION: The NFOG-It is a valuable and reliable tool for assessing FOG symptoms, duration and frequency in PD subjects. Results provide the validity of NFOG-Q-It by reproducing and enlarging previous psychometric data.

Effectiveness of Respiratory Rehabilitation in COVID-19's Post-Acute Phase: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the new grave and acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), generated an unprecedented danger to public health. This condition may impact survivors' quality of life and includes extensive pulmonary and respiratory outcomes. Respiratory rehabilitation is known for its effects in improving dyspnea, alleviating anxiety and depression, reducing complications, preventing and ameliorating dysfunctions, reducing morbidity, preserving functions and improving subjects' quality of life. For this reason, respiratory rehabilitation may be recommended for this category of patients. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits produced by the adoption of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs in COVID-19's post-acute phase. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search of relevant publications was conducted using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, and Cochrane Library. A single reviser selected pertinent articles that studied the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation during COVID-19's post-acute phase in improving the respiratory function, physical performance, autonomy and quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: After an initial selection, 18 studies were included in this systematic review, of which 14 concern respiratory rehabilitation delivered in conventional form and 4 concern respiratory rehabilitation provided in telehealth. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary rehabilitation combining different types of training-breathing, aerobic, fitness and strength-and not bypassing the neuropsychological aspects revealed itself to be capable of improving pulmonary and muscular functions, general health and quality of life in post-acute COVID-19 patients, besides increasing workout capacity and muscle strength, improving fatigue states and reducing anxiety and depression.

Validation and Analysis of the Psychometric Properties of Two Irritability-Measuring Tools: The Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) and the Born-Steiner Irritability Scale (BSIS) in the Italian Adult and Adolescent Populations.

Irritability is a transdiagnostic symptom that affects quality of life during the lifespan of individuals. The objective of the present research was to validate two assessment tools, namely the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) and the Born-Steiner Irritability Scale (BSIS). We investigated internal consistency as measured with Cronbach's alpha, test-retest with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and convergent validity confronting ARI and BSIS scores with the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Our results revealed ARI good internal consistency with a Cronbach's α of 0.79 for adolescent and 0.78 for adults. The BSIS also demonstrated good internal consistency for both samples with Cronbach's α = 0.87. Test-retest analysis showed excellent values for both tools. Convergent validity showed positive and significant correlation with SDW, albeit weak for some sub-scales. In conclusion, we found ARI and BSIS to be good tools for measuring irritability in adolescents and adults, and now, Italian healthcare professionals can use it with more confidence.

Functionality and Quality of Life with Parkinson's Disease after Use of a Dynamic Upper Limb Orthosis: A Pilot Study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative movement disorder, whose symptoms have a negative impact on quality of life and functionality. Although its main treatment is pharmacological, non-pharmacological aids such as the dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis (DEFO) merit an evaluation. Our objective is to assess the DEFO in upper limb (UL) functional mobility and in the quality of life of PD patients. A total of 40 patients with PD participated in a randomized controlled crossover study, and were assigned to a control group (CG) and to an experimental group (EG). Both groups used the DEFO for two months, the experimental group the first two months of the study and the control group the last two. Motor variables were measured in the ON and OFF states at the baseline assessment and at two months. Differences from the baseline assessment were observed in some motor items of the Kinesia assessment, such as rest tremor, amplitude, rhythm or alternating movements in the ON and OFF states with and without orthosis. No differences were found in the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) or the PD quality-of-life questionnaire. The DEFO improves some motor aspects of the UL in PD patients but this does not translate to the amelioration of the standard of functional and quality-of-life scales.

Efficacy of aquatic therapy in people with spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a pathological condition that provokes the loss of one or more body functions due to an injury to the spinal cord as a result of trauma or disease. Hydrotherapy plays a key role in the rehabilitation of neurological patients due to the properties of water environments. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hydrotherapy in patients who suffer from SCIs. METHODS: We searched 5 different databases: CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro for studies to include. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English were considered. To evaluate the risk of bias, Jadad and PEDro scales were used. RESULTS: Eleven Randomized Controlled Trials were included, and 3 articles remained to be analyzed. According to the evaluation through Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, one study had a high level of quality. The remaining 2 studies achieved a score indicative of a low level of quality. A total of 71 individuals with SCI were included in the studies; age and level of injury varied in each study. The outcome measures used in the studies were: Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Ashworth scale, CardioTouch 3000 s in sitting position and Quark CPET. CONCLUSION: The aquatic environment provides a rehabilitation tool able to facilitate movement, physical and cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, and body relaxation.

The Role of Magnetic Transcranial Stimulation in the Diagnosis and Post-Surgical Follow-Up of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) consists of spinal cord damage due to its compression through the cervical spine. The leading cause is degenerative. The diagnosis is clinical, and the therapeutic approach is usually surgical. Confirmation of the diagnostic suspicion is done by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, this test lacks functional information of the spinal cord, the abnormality of which may precede involvement in neuroimaging. Neurophysiological examination using somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) allows for an evaluation of spinal cord function, and provides information in the diagnostic process. Its role in the post-surgical follow-up of patients undergoing decompressive surgery is being studied. We present a retrospective study of 24 patients with DCM and surgical decompression who underwent neurophysiological tests (TMS and SSEP) before, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The result of the TMS and the SSEP in the post-operative follow-up did not correlate with the clinical outcome, either subjective or measured by clinical scales at six months. We only found post-surgical improvement of central conduction times (CMCTs) in patients with severe pre-surgical motor impairment on TMS. In patients with normal pre-surgical CMCT, we found a transient worsening with return to baseline at the one-year follow-up. Most patients presented pre-surgical increased P40 latency at diagnosis. CMCT and SSEP were more related to clinical outcomes one year after the surgical procedure and were very useful in diagnosing.

A systematic review of the psychometric properties of Quebec user evaluation of satisfaction with assistive technology (QUEST).

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Searches were conducted in August 2021 on four electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligible papers included cross-sectional validation studies evaluating the psychometric properties of all QUEST versions. Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, and comparison tools were reported. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included in this systematic review. Results showed that the QUEST and QUEST 2.0 were available in 10 languages, and most validation studies analysed this tool in patients using mobility devices in various clinical conditions. One article analysed the child version (QUEST 2.1) in English. The most analysed psychometric property was Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency in 14 out of 19 studies, with values ranging between 0.74 and 0.79. Overall, 17 out of 19 studies were of adequate quality, though responsiveness was never studied. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review showed that the QUEST and its subsequent versions are reliable and valid measurement instruments to evaluate satisfaction in patients with different disabilities using various assistive technologies. This study provides useful information on the instrument's psychometric properties in different populations and cultures.IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATIONThis systematic review verify the appropriateness of the "Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology" (QUEST), as a measure of satisfaction;This systematic review allow clinicians to keep up to date with new versions of the tool, new countries of validation and population in which it can be used.This study supports clinicians in making informed decisions when choosing assessment tools.

Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the StimQ for Use with Italian Children from Kindergartens.

The StimQ questionnaire is used to assess the home environment of children. The questionnaire is comprised of four subscales, and it was completed by the main caregiver. The items were different considering the band ages of the children: infants (5-12 months), toddlers (12-36 months), and preschoolers (36-72 months). The aim of the study was to translate, transculturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the StimQ. To achieve this goal, a sample of 142 children was recruited from different kindergartens. The mean age of the group was 30.63 (SD 19.56), and 112 of them were female. The main caregiver was the mother in 95% of the cases. The Cronbach's alfa was excellent, considering the total score (0.82 for infants, 0.85 for toddlers, and 0.86 for preschoolers). Intrarater reliability was performed by administering the questionnaire after 48 h and by two different researchers. Both analyses showed an excellent reliability for the total score and all the subscales. The intrarater reliability was 0.99 for the infant, 1 for the toddler and 0.99 for the preschooler age groups. The interrater reliability was 0.95 for the infant, 0.93 for the toddler, and 0.97 for the preschooler age groups. The StimQ is a reliable questionnaire that could be helpful for clinicians and researchers who work with children in Italy.