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The Structure of the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire in Australian Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 December 2017

Matt Thomas ,
Clive Skilbeck ,
Phillipa Cannan  and
Mark Slatyer
Matt Thomas*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia Neurotrama Register of Tasmania, Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS, Australia
Clive Skilbeck
Affiliation:
Neurotrama Register of Tasmania, Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS, Australia School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
Phillipa Cannan
Affiliation:
Neurotrama Register of Tasmania, Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS, Australia School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
Mark Slatyer
Affiliation:
Neurotrama Register of Tasmania, Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Matt Thomas, School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. E-mail: mathomas@csu.edu.au
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Abstract

Background and aims: Many sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI) suffer ongoing post-concussion symptoms (PCS). The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) is widely used, although there is disagreement about its structure. This study compared the fit of published RPQ structures with a four-factor structure derived from a large adult sample with TBI in Tasmania.

Method: 661 adults with TBI completed the RPQ at approximately one month post injury. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), using the first half of the sample (n = 330), suggested a four-factor solution. This was compared with models reported in the literature with the second half of the sample (n = 331), using structural equation modelling. Trajectory of recovery across these factors was examined within subsamples at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months following TBI.

Results: Inter-correlations between items were strongest for somatic, cognitive and emotional functioning items and the EFA identified a four-factor model. Fit was examined utilising bootstrapping for model comparison. The data at 1 month following TBI best fitted the four-factor model (CFI = .95, RMSEA = .060 (.049–.071) and factors had adequate internal consistency (r = .61–.89). This model appeared a good fit and clinically useful across time points to 12 months post injury.

Conclusions: Data best fitted a four-factor model, identified using a rigorous statistical approach. Clinicians and clinical researchers may use this preferred model to provide more specific measurement of the severity of PCS. Future research could attempt replication within international samples.

Keywords

Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ)construct validityfactor structureconcussionmild traumatic brain injury
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 19 , Special Issue 2: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury , September 2018 , pp. 166 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2017 

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