Psychometric evaluation of the shortened version of the Functional Difficulties Questionnaire to assess thoracic physical function

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the shortened version of the Functional Difficulties Questionnaire (FDQ). Design: This is a multisite observational study. Setting: The study was conducted in four tertiary care hospitals in Australia. Subjects: A total of 225 participants, following cardiac surgery, were involved in the study. Intervention: Participants completed the original 13-item FDQ and other measures of physical function, pain and health-related quality of life. Method: Item reduction was utilized to develop the shortened version. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), the smallest detectable change ..