Life satisfaction and self-reported impairments in persons with late effects of polio.

Decades after an acute poliomyelitis infection many persons experience new symptoms or impairments which may affect their life satisfaction. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between life satisfaction and self-reported impairments in persons with late effects of polio. One hundred and sixty-nine persons (104 women and 65 men) with prior polio responded on admission to rehabilitation to the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) assessing satisfaction with life as a whole and 10 domains of life satisfaction and to a 13-item questionnaire assessing self-reported impairments related to late effects of polio. A majority was to some degree satisfied with life as a whole and with all 10 domains of life satisfaction in LiSat-11, but less than 20% was very satisfied or satisfied with their somatic health. Muscle fatigue, muscle weakness, general fatigue, muscle and/or joint pain during physical activity and cold intolerance were the most frequently reported impairments. Overall, those who rated themselves as not satisfied (according to LiSat-11) reported significantly higher degrees of impairment than those who were satisfied. The relationships between the items of life satisfaction in LiSat-11 and the items in the self-report questionnaire varied from -0.01 to -0.64. Satisfaction with life as a whole, and different domains of life satisfaction are low to moderately associated with self-reported impairments. This implies that rehabilitation interventions must address not only self-reported impairments but also activity limitations and participation restrictions in order to enhance life satisfaction in people with late effects of polio.

Lexell J ，Brogårdh C 《-》

Construct validity of a new rating scale for self-reported impairments in persons with late effects of polio.

To evaluate the construct validity of a new rating scale for self-reported impairments in persons with late effects of polio. Psychometric analysis of data on self-perceived impairments in persons with prior polio. Two hundred seventy-three persons with prior polio (119 men and 154 women; mean age, 63.5 years). Rasch analysis of a 13-item rating scale with 5 response categories, in which the participants rated how much they have been bothered by various post-polio-related impairments during the past 2 weeks. The initial analysis showed disordered categories, misfit with some of the items, multidimensionality, and local dependency. After adjustment of the categories, which resulted in a 4-category rating scale, fit to the model was achieved, but the scale still showed signs of multidimensionality. Analyses of local dependency revealed correlations among some of the items, which resulted in a 5 testlet solution, which gave fit to the model and unidimensionality. After adjustment of the categories and local dependency, this new rating scale, Self-Reported Impairments in Persons With Late Effects of Polio, can be considered as unidimensional. The good psychometric properties implies that the Self-Reported Impairments in Persons With Late Effects of Polio scale could be a useful rating scale that would increase our understanding of the impairments that persons with late effects of polio can experience. With further refinements, this scale may assist in the planning and evaluation of appropriate rehabilitation interventions.

Brogårdh C ，Lexell J ，Lundgren-Nilsson A 《-》

How various self-reported impairments influence walking ability in persons with late effects of polio.

Brogårdh C ，Lexell J 《-》

Relationship between participation in life situations and life satisfaction in persons with late effects of polio.

Lund ML ，Lexell J 《DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION》

Physical activity in persons with late effects of polio: a descriptive study.

To promote a healthy and active lifestyle there is a need to increase our knowledge of the level of physical activity (PA) among people with late effects of polio. To examine PA in people with late effects of polio and to assess the relationship between PA, life satisfaction and various sociodemographic factors. PA was assessed in 81 persons with late effects of polio using the Physical Activity and Disability Survey (PADS) and by a pedometer. Life satisfaction was assessed with the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11). The amount of PA varied considerably but on average the participants were physically active almost 3 h per day, mostly in household activities. The mean value of the pedometer counts was 6212 steps per day (SD = 3208). Sixty-nine percent of the participants rated themselves as satisfied with life as a whole. The sum of PADS was positively and significantly related to the number of steps (r = 0.39, p < 0.001), increasing age (r = 0.26, p < 0.05) and to the level of global satisfaction with life (rho = 0.23, p < 0.05). The number of steps was also positively and significantly associated with level of global satisfaction with life (rho = 0.37, p < 0.001). Despite a progressive physical disability, people with late effects of polio are physically active, but much of the activities are performed as part of their household activities and not as traditional exercise. The relationship between PA, life satisfaction and age further supports the general contention that an active lifestyle is an important factor for perceived well-being among older people.

Winberg C ，Flansbjer UB ，Carlsson G ，Rimmer J ，Lexell J ... -  《-》