| Learning Objective #1: The learner will be able to identify the challenges to measuring height in a spinal cord patient population. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: The learner will be able to identify an alternate measure for height in a spinal cord injured population |
Approximately 247,000 Americans are living with spinal cord injuries (SCI), and nearly 11,000 new cases occur annually. Determining height and weight in a SCI population requires multiple personnel, significant effort, and introduces the potential for injury. At each VA clinic and hospital admission, height and weight are recorded. Self-reported height and weight are frequently accepted as a substitute for measurement. Accuracy of self-reported height and weight when compared with measured height and weight is questionable.
Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine reliability of self-reported and measured height and weight and the concordance between arm span and height in a SCI population.
Conceptual Framework: The physical anthropometric framework guides this study, emphasizing accuracy of measurement techniques for calculating clinical indices used for identification and treatment of populations at risk for disease.
Sample: A convenience sample of one hundred and ten SCI patients will provide adequate power for the study.
Methods: Self-report heights and weights, followed by actual measures of height, weight, and arm span will be collected. Supine heights will be measured. Arm span will be measured in participants’ wheelchairs, with arms supported and extended, measuring from tip of right middle finger, across the chest, to tip of left middle finger. Descriptive statistics will be used to report demographic data. Pearson’s product moment correlation will be used to examine relationships between self-reported and actual measurements. Dependent t-tests will be used to determine differences between BMI calculated using actual and reported measurements.
Results: Preliminary findings will be presented.
Implications: If self-reported measurements of height and weight and/or arm span are as accurate as actual measures, there is a resultant reduction of injury risk for the SCI patient and time-savings for patient and staff.
This study was funded in part by Kappa Pi Sigma Theta Tau.
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See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)