Measurement Properties of the Full and Brief Version of the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire in Persons with Physical Disabilities

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 2021 · DOI: 10.1007/s10926-021-09973-8 · Published: April 12, 2021

Simple Explanation

The Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ) is used to assess how well people are functioning in work-related activities. There are two versions: a long, comprehensive version (WORQ-FULL) and a shorter, brief version (WORQ-BRIEF). This study checks how reliable and valid both versions are for people with physical disabilities. Researchers looked at how consistently the questionnaire measured the same thing (internal consistency), whether it gave similar results over time (test-retest reliability), and how well the two versions agreed with each other (agreement). They also compared the questionnaire results with other measures of work ability and quality of life to see if they matched up (convergent validity). The study found both versions of the WORQ to be reliable. However, the full and brief versions should not be used interchangeably. The WORQ-BRIEF showed better correlation with quality of life measures.

Study Duration

April 2018 and July 2019

Participants

91 adults with physical disabilities in vocational rehabilitation

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The WORQ showed good internal consistency and test–retest reliability.
2
Agreement demonstrated large score differences are needed to indicate change beyond random chance at individual level, whereas small changes are sufficient at group level.
3
Convergent validity was supported for the WORQ-BRIEF with the EuroQoL 5D-5L (r = -0.65).

Research Summary

This study investigated the measurement properties of the full and brief versions of the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ) in persons with physical disabilities undergoing vocational rehabilitation. The study found good internal consistency and test-retest reliability for both versions. However, agreement analysis suggested that large score differences are needed to indicate change beyond random chance at the individual level, while small changes are sufficient at the group level. Criterion validity between the WORQ-FULL and WORQ-BRIEF was supported, but the two versions should not be used interchangeably. Convergent validity was only supported for the WORQ-BRIEF with the EuroQoL 5D-5L.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

The WORQ-BRIEF can be used as a screening instrument during vocational rehabilitation in combination with more diagnose-specific instruments.

Research

At group level, e.g. in research, the WORQ however confirmed good sensitivity to change in this study.

Instrument Selection

When the full version is filled out at intake, also the full version should be used for monitoring progress.

Study Limitations

1
Relatively large time interval (max 27 days) possibly resulting in a population with more medical changes over time.
2
Limited number of participants per diagnostic subgroup not allowing analysis per subgroup with sufficient statistical power.
3
Participants completed the WORQ-FULL only and the results from the WORQ-BRIEF were derived from this original instrument.

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