Reliability of the Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire (BSSQbrace)

Objective

A new instrument to assess stress experienced by scoliosis patients while wearing their brace has been developed. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of this new instrument.

Study design

Eight questions are provided. A maximum score of 24 can be achieved (from 0 for most stress to 24 for least stress). The subdivision of the score values was: 0–8 (strong stress), 9–16 (medium stress) and 17–24 (little stress).

Methods

Eighty-five patients were invited to take part in this study and to complete the BSSQbrace questionnaire once at the first presentation and a second after a further three days. Sixty-two patients, with an average age of 14.5 years and an average Cobb angle of 40 degrees, returned their fully completed questionnaires.

Results

The average stress value was 12.5 at the first measurement and 12.4 at the second measurement. The maximum score was 23; the minimum score was 2. There was a correlation of 0.88 (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient) between the values of the two measurements. Cronbach alpha was 0.97.

Conclusion

The BSSQbrace questionnaire is reliable with good internal consistency and reproducibility. It can be used to measure the impairment a patient feels while wearing a brace.