ICF-linking and psychometric properties of upper extremity mobility outcome measures in spinal cord injury - a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the outcome measures used in upper extremity rehabilitation and research in spinal cord injury and to investigate their psychometry. DESIGN: Scoping review. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, the Cochrane library, PEDro, Medline (Ovid). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: The search process and study selection was carried out as follows: Firstly, a systematic search was carried out for articles on upper extremity rehabilitation after SCI. Performance or observational outcome measures which were designed for a clinical setting were collected from selected studies. Secondly, eligible outcome measures were linked to the ICF. The ICF-linked outcome measures were further screened for inclusion according to how comprehensively they covered ICF categories. Finally, a search of the selected outcome measures was performed to investigate their psychometry. RESULTS: A total of four outcome measures and nine psychometric studies were selected for the scoping review; six studies addressed GRASSP, one addressed AuSpinal, one addressed SHFT and one addressed TRI-HFT. Of the 13 COSMIN measurement properties, studies of GRASSP covered seven, AuSpinal covered five and both SHFT and TRI-HFT covered three properties. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of GRASSP were most extensively studied showing eligible reliability and validity. Although there are still some measurement properties to be explored, GRASSP can be recommended for use in the evaluation of upper extremity mobility in the SCI rehabilitation and research. More research is needed on the psychometrics of other outcome measures in people with spinal cord injuries before the outcome measures can be unconditionally recommended.

Associations between the Abilitator, a self-reported measurement tool of work ability and functioning, and national register-based indicators of health and employment.

OBJECTIVES: The Abilitator is a recently developed self-reported measurement tool for work ability and functioning of people in a weak labour market position. The aim of this study was to describe how self-reported information gathered with the Abilitator corresponds to information drawn from national registers. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants (n=669, mean age 44 years, 55% women) took part in the Work Ability Programme (2020-2023) that provided services for unemployed people with reduced work ability. They filled in the Abilitator questionnaire at the start of the service. Register-based data on participants' health, income and received benefits was drawn from national registers. We evaluated how the different types of indicators concurred. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations (from weak to moderate) were found between different domains of the Abilitator and register-based data. Also, participants' health status (information on mental health or musculoskeletal disorders) was displayed coherently in the results of the Abilitator. Overall, diagnosed mental health disorders distinguished participants' Abilitator responses more strongly than diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide further evidence on the applicability of the Abilitator as an instrument to evaluate work ability and functioning of people outside the work force.

Main activity trajectory clusters of unemployed people with partial work ability and cluster features.

BACKGROUND: The early identification of different subgroups of individuals with partial work ability is important for the development of appropriate and effective services in order to prevent exclusion from working life and prolongation of unemployment. AIMS: This study aimed to identify different main activity trajectory clusters of people with partial work ability before their participation in work ability support services and to examine sociodemographic, health, work ability and functioning features of the identified clusters. METHODS: The sample consisted of clients who had participated in the Finnish Work Ability Programme during 2020-2022. Using the main activity data spanning from 2005 to 2021, optimal matching was applied to examine the similarity between the participants' main activity trajectories. Second, using cluster analysis, participants were categorised into four main activity trajectory clusters. Finally, the sociodemographic, health, work ability and functioning features of clusters were examined. RESULTS: A total of 643 individuals participated in the study. Four clusters were identified: (a) early-onset retirement, (b) from studies to outside the workforce, (c) from employment to unemployment and (d) long-term employment. Individuals in the 'early-onset retirement' cluster had the best perceived work ability and functioning. Problems relating to health, work ability, functioning and well-being were highlighted in the 'from employment to unemployment' cluster. CONCLUSIONS: Unemployed individuals with partial work ability form a heterogeneous population who often have several different underlying reasons for decreased work ability. Multiple data sources are needed to identify the special characteristics and needs of the people with partial work ability.

Sustainable employability in Supported Employment and IPS interventions in the context of the characteristics of work and perspectives of the employers: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The sustainable employment outcomes and cost-effectiveness of Supported Employment (SE) and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) have been well reported. Research has also focused on various target groups, compliance with the quality criteria for the implementation of the SE/IPS method in diverse work life and social security contexts. However, the impact of employers' interests and the quality and opportunities of jobs or the work itself for sustainable working careers have not been studied extensively. The objective of the proposed scoping review is to systematically explore what is known about sustainable employability in SE and IPS interventions in the context of the characteristics of work and perspectives of the employers. METHODS AND ANALYSES: The scoping review methodological framework by Arksey and O'Malley and its recently enhanced versions are used as guidelines in this study. The literature search, which was conducted in Medline, Scopus, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), identified a total of 2706 articles after the removal of duplicates. Key findings of selected studies will be charted, analysed and reported. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study does not require ethics approval, as the data are collected from secondary sources. The final version of the scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. Findings of the review will be used in the upcoming ethnographic observation at work study, which is part of the Finnish Work Ability Programme Evaluation Study (2020-2023).

Physical health among the Finnish spinal cord injury population according to the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS®).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the physical health in the Finnish Spinal cord injury (SCI) population using the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) and make a comparison to the general United States (US) population. Furthermore, the aim is to explore the associations between pain interference, pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and fatigue and physical function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. This study is part of the Finnish Spinal Cord Injury (FinSCI) community survey study. SETTING: Community, Finland. PARTICIPANTS: 884 persons with SCI. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical health was measured with custom Patient Reported Outcome Measure System (PROMIS®) short forms. RESULTS: Higher age and lesion level indicated more severe physical function impairments. Persons ≥46 years exhibited more pain interference symptoms compared to younger participants. On average, the Finnish SCI population had 1.3 SD lower physical function and 0.9 SD higher pain interference T-scores compared to the US general population (P < 0.001). The most significant association was observed between pain interference and physical function (r = -0.364, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides a description of the state of physical health in the Finnish spinal cord injury population, as well as the associations between the physical health areas. The results highlight the substantiality of pain management in terms of improving physical function. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04649814.