The feasibility and validity of the comprehensive ICF core set for stroke in Chinese clinical settings

Abstract

Objective: To inspect the feasibility and content validity of the comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set for stroke by describing relevant aspects of functioning, disability and environmental factors affected in Chinese patients post stroke. Design: Multicentre, cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of rehabilitation medicine. Subjects: The content validity was evaluated using frequency and percentage of 208 patients with a mean age of 60 years post stroke in China. Outcome measures: Aspects of body function and structure, activity and participation, and environmental factors in the comprehensive ICF core set for stroke. Results: Six ICF categories of body function were identified as a problem in over 90% ( n = 187) of the patients (functions of the cardiovascular system and neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions). Impairments of brain, upper and lower extremity were identified as a problem in over 50% ( n = 104) of the patients. Four ICF categories of activities and participation were documented as a problem in 100% ( n = 208) of the patients (domestic and civic life). In environmental factors, nine ICF categories were documented as barriers by more than 10% ( n = 20) and fewer than 50% ( n = 104) of the patients (products and technology, physical geography, societal attitudes, services, systems and polices). Six ICF categories were identified as facilitators in over 90% ( n = 187) of the patients (support and relationships and attitudes). Conclusion: The findings suggest that it is feasible to apply the comprehensive ICF core set for stroke in the Chinese clinical setting, after the appropriate reduction of some categories according to Chinese patients’ characteristics and culture.