Reliability and validity of Houghton scale of prosthesis use

Jussi Petteri Repo; John Gästgifvars; Arja H Häkkinen; Risto P Roine; Kirsi Piitulainen; Paula H Bergman; Erkki J Tukiainen

Authors

Jussi Petteri Repo Central Finland Central Hospital
John Gästgifvars, Dr University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, Finland
Arja H Häkkinen, Prof University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
Risto P Roine, Prof University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, Finland
Kirsi Piitulainen, Dr Central Finland Health Care District, Jyväskylä, Finland
Paula H Bergman University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
Erkki J Tukiainen University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, Finland

Keywords:

Houghton; Finnish; Validity; Reliability; Prosthesis; Transtibial; Transfemoral; Amputation; Patient-reported; PRO

Abstract

Background Psychometrically validated instruments are useful in determining rehabilitation success after lower extremity amputation. There has been a need for patient-reported outcome instruments for assessment of prosthesis use in Finnish. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the Houghton scale.

Methods The Houghton scale was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Finnish. Patients who had undergone major lower extremity amputation and rehabilitated to prosthesis users were invited to participate in the study. Participants who completed the questionnaire package twice within a two-week interval were included.

Results Altogether 113 patients met the inclusion criteria. The percentage of maximum and minimum points, internal consistency, intraclass correlation coefficient, coefficient of repeatability and convergent validity were analyzed. There was no floor or ceiling effect, indicating a well-constructed scale and sufficient balance between easy and difficult items. Internal consistency was acceptable. Reliability of the instrument was high. The Houghton scale loaded on three factors and had good convergent validity against the Prosthesis evaluation questionnaire and the generic 15D instrument.

Conclusions the Houghton scale was successfully adapted into Finnish. The Finnish version of the Houghton scale is reliable and valid for assessing prosthesis use in a relevant way.

Author Biographies

John Gästgifvars, Dr, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, Finland

Department of Plastic Surgery

Arja H Häkkinen, Prof, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

Health Sciences, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

Department of Physical Medicine, Central Finland Health Care District, Jyväskylä, Finland

Risto P Roine, Prof, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, Finland

Group Administration, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, Finland

Department of Health and Social Management, Research Centre for Comparative Effectiveness and Patient Safety, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

Kirsi Piitulainen, Dr, Central Finland Health Care District, Jyväskylä, Finland

Health Sciences, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

Department of Physical Medicine, Central Finland Health Care District, Jyväskylä, Finland

Paula H Bergman, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

Biostatistics consulting, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

Erkki J Tukiainen, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, Finland

Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, Finland