| dc.description.abstract | Background: The Physical Workload Questionnaire (PWQ) is a questionnaire based on an item pool of 26 items related to physical workload. The PWQ has recently been translated into Norwegian, but its measurement properties have not yet been tested. The aim of this study is to assess the measurement properties of the Norwegian version of the PWQ in patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
Method: A cross-sectional study with a test-retest design were conducted to assess factorial structure, internal consistency, construct validity and reliability in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed to assess the factorial structure and number of items to be included in the Norwegian version of the PWQ. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and construct validity by 14 a priori hypotheses (“known” group, convergent and discriminant validity). Reliability was evaluated by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC2.1), Standard Error of Measurement (SEMagreement) and Smallest Detectable Change (SDC95%ind).
Results: A total of 115 patients with musculoskeletal disorders and a mean age (SD) of 46 (9) years were included in the cross-sectional study, of which 48 were included in the reliability analyses. EFA on the item pool resulted in two subscales; “Heavy physical workload” (15 items, range 0-100) and “Long lasting postures and repetitive movements” (7 items, range 0-100). The internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha was 0.94 and 0.85 on subscale 1 and 2, respectively. There were no floor or ceiling effects of the subscales. Assessment of construct validity showed that 12 of the 14 (85%) predefined hypotheses were confirmed. Reliability of PWQ data demonstrated an ICC2.1 of 0.96 (95% CI 0.88, 0.98) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.81, 0.96), SEM of 6.9 and 10.0 and SDC95%ind of 19.2 and 27.7 of subscale 1 and 2, respectively.
Conclusion: The Norwegian version of the PWQ demonstrated acceptable internal consistency, construct validity and reliability and can be used to assess physical workload in patients with various musculoskeletal disorders. | en |
