Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability of isometric quadriceps strength (IQS) using a portable dynamometer in individuals with chronic obstructive ...pulmonary disease (COPD) and to verify their tolerance to the protocol.
Methods
A cross-sectional reliability study was conducted with 50 individuals with stable COPD (34 men and 16 women; mean age = 70 years SD = 8). The main outcome measure was obtained using a portable dynamometer (Microfet 2) to assess IQS. Two masked raters performed 2 assessments in the dominant lower limb on 2 nonconsecutive days. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify the intrarater and interrater reliability and was considered excellent when >0.90, with a 5% significance level.
Results
Rater 1 and 2 intrarater reliability was as follows: ICC = 0.96 (95% CI = 0.94 to 0.98) and ICC = 0.97 (95% CI = 0.95 to 0.98), respectively. The interrater reliability was as follows: ICC = 0.96 (95% CI = 0.93 to 0.98). The minimum detectable difference was 4 to 5 peak isometric strength, in mean, for intrarater and interrater reliability. Not all patients presented relevant changes in physiological responses, dyspnea, and lower limb fatigue.
Conclusion
There was an excellent intrarater and interrater reliability for IQS, and the participants tolerated the protocol.
Impact
This tool can be used to assess quadriceps strength in clinical practice in patients with COPD.
•The Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) scale is now available in Brazilian Portuguese.•The Brazilian Portuguese PCFS has shown adequate measurement properties.
The Post-COVID-19 Functional ...Status (PCFS) scale was created to assess the functional status of patients after hospital discharge due to COVID-19.
To perform cross-cultural adaptation of the PCFS Scale and Manual into Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate its measurement properties in patients post-COVID-19.
For the cross-cultural adaptation, independent translations and back-translations were performed. This was followed by a pre-test, with analysis of the Content Validity Index (CVI), and preparation of the final version, after evaluating the measurement properties. Spearman's correlation between the PCFS and the WHO Disability Classification Scheme (WHODAS 2.0) was used for convergent validity. Weighted Kappa (wκ) was used for test-retest and interobserver reliability for PCFS scores and Kappa (κ) for PCFS items. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Only patients with post-discharge COVID-19 were evaluated through video-conferencing platforms.
The CVI was 0.75–0.83 for comprehension and 0.83–0.84 for the language of the self-administered questionnaire and the structured interview version. For measurement properties, 63 patients were evaluated, 68% male, 51.50 (12.60) years, 12.28 (7.62) days of hospitalization. For the convergent validity, a strong correlation was found (r = 0.73; p<0.01). The test-retest (wκ=0.54) and interobserver (wκ=0.43) reliability was moderate and the item-by-item analyzes ranged from fair to substantial (κ=0.25–0.66) and weak to substantial (κ=0.07–0.79). Internal consistency was excellent (0.85).
The final PCFS in Brazilian Portuguese showed adequate content validity, reliability, internal consistency, and convergent validity for the functional assessment of patients after hospital discharge due to COVID-19.
