Reliability and validity of a postal version of the Reintegration to Normal Living Index, modified for use with stroke patients

OBJECTIVE: To adapt the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) for postal use with stroke patients. DESIGN: Reliability was examined using test-retest on 26 stroke patients. Construct validity was tested on 76 patients by examining correlations between the modified RNLI and related scales. SUBJECTS: Patients at three months to one year post stroke. RESULTS: All items demonstrated better than chance agreement between test and retest and seven items substantial agreement (kappa = >0.61). The modified RNLI correlated positively with related scales. Patients with stronger reintegration to normal living had better outcomes in anxiety, depression, daily activity and quality of life. CONCLUSION: This postal instrument appears reliable and valid and may be a useful outcome measure in stroke studies.