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. 2016 Apr;31(4):563-9.
doi: 10.1002/mds.26534. Epub 2016 Mar 12.

Clinimetric testing of the comprehensive cervical dystonia rating scale

Cynthia L Comella  1 , Joel S Perlmutter  2 , Hyder A Jinnah  3 , Tracy A Waliczek  1 , Ami R Rosen  3 , Wendy R Galpern  4 , Charles A Adler  5 , Richard L Barbano  6 , Stewart A Factor  3 , Christopher G Goetz  1 , Joseph Jankovic  7 , Stephen G Reich  8 , Ramon L Rodriguez  9 , William L Severt  10 , Mateusz Zurowski  11 , Susan H Fox  11 , Glenn T Stebbins  1
Affiliations

Clinimetric testing of the comprehensive cervical dystonia rating scale

Cynthia L Comella et al. Mov Disord. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to test the clinimetric properties of the Comprehensive Cervical Dystonia Rating Scale. This is a modular scale with modifications of the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (composed of three subscales assessing motor severity, disability, and pain) now referred to as the revised Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Scale-2; a newly developed psychiatric screening instrument; and the Cervical Dystonia Impact Profile-58 as a quality of life measure.

Methods: Ten dystonia experts rated subjects with cervical dystonia using the comprehensive scale. Clinimetric techniques assessed each module of the scale for reliability, item correlation, and factor structure.

Results: There were 208 cervical dystonia patients (73% women; age, 59 ± 10 years; duration, 15 ± 12 years). Internal consistency of the motor severity subscale was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.57). Item to total correlations showed that elimination of items with low correlations (<0.20) increased alpha to 0.71. Internal consistency estimates for the subscales for disability and pain were 0.88 and 0.95, respectively. The psychiatric screening scale had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.84 and satisfactory item to total correlations. When the subscales of the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Scale-2 were combined with the psychiatric screening scale, Cronbach's alpha was 0.88, and construct validity assessment demonstrated four rational factors: motor; disability; pain; and psychiatric disorders. The Cervical Dystonia Impact Profile-58 had an alpha of 0.98 and its construction was validated through a confirmatory factor analysis.

Conclusions: The modules of the Comprehensive Cervical Dystonia Rating Scale are internally consistent with a logical factor structure.

Keywords: Cervical Dystonia Impact Profile-58; Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale; cervical dystonia; focal dystonia; rating scale.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale-2 (TWSTRS-2)
Figure 1
Figure 1
Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale-2 (TWSTRS-2)
Figure 1
Figure 1
Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale-2 (TWSTRS-2)
Figure 1
Figure 1
Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale-2 (TWSTRS-2)
Figure 2
Figure 2. TWSTRS-PSYCH
Circle one number for each question.
Figure 2
Figure 2. TWSTRS-PSYCH
Circle one number for each question.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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