The Reliability and Validity of the Korean Short Version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean short version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QoL-12K). DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. METHODS: We recruited 233 outpatients with ischemic stroke. FINDINGS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for internal consistency was .93, and the test-retest reliability value was .98. Confirmatory factor analysis identified two dimensions for the SS-QoL-12K. The SS-QoL-12K was correlated positively with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and negatively with the modified Rankin Scale score. The SS-QoL scores in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale mild group were higher than those in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale moderate and severe groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the SS-QoL-12K has a satisfactory level of reliability and validity in patients with ischemic stroke. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This instrument will be helpful in advancing research and clinical care for stroke patients.