Journal of Novel Physiotherapies
Open Access

Abstract

There is only a little available empirical research on the psychological distress experienced due to sexual dysfunctions and post spinal cord injury (SCI). This �Clinimetric� study was done in two phases: Phase 1 includes the development of perceived sexual distress scale (PSDS) in Hindi language (PSDS-H) for persons with SCI, and establishment of content validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Following a comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews, a 43-item questionnaire was drafted with a 5-point Likert scale. Content validity was established by expert panel, both qualitatively and quantitatively by content validity ratio (CVR) method. Five items were dropped because of low CVR, resulting in a 38- item questionnaire. Inter-item, item total correlations, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach�s alpha) was 0.965. The test-retest reliability was 0.647. Phase 2 - Following this, English translation and cross-cultural adaptation of PSDS-H was performed using standardized guidelines of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Outcomes Committee. The procedure involved 6 stages comprising of forward translation, synthesis of translations, back translation, expert committee, pre-testing on 30 subjects and submission of document. The content validity of English version was estimated by CVR method. The finalized English version of PSDS was approved by all the translators, expert panel members, persons with spinal cord injury and by the developer of the original Hindi version PSDS-H. The PSDS-H is a valid, self/interviewer-rated tool that can help inform the rehabilitation team about the level of an individual�s perceived sexual distress post SCI. It also provides an outcome measure to evaluate the efficacy of interventions related to sexuality post injury. The English translated version is also a valid scale with widespread utility.

Biography

Ruby Aikat has completed her Master of Occupational Therapy in Neurosciences from Mumbai University in 2001. She is working as an Assistant Professor in Indian Spinal Injuries Center Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Delhi, India. She has presented many papers in national and international conferences and has won several awards. She has more than 15 publications in reputed journals and books. She is a member of editorial board and a reviewer for a couple of journals.

Email: ruby_aikat@rediffmail.com