Assessment of mood in aphasia following stroke: validation of the Dynamic Visual Analogue Mood Scales (D-VAMS)

Barrows, Paul David; Thomas, Shirley A.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To validate a non-verbal self-report measure of mood - the Dynamic Visual Analogue Mood Scales (D-VAMS) - against the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and assess its suitability as an outcome measure or screening measure for depressed mood following stroke.
DESIGN:
Cross-sectional observational cohort study.
PARTICIPANTS:
Forty-six stroke survivors (24% with aphasia) recruited from online, from stroke clubs and via an NHS rehabilitation service.
METHODS:
A set of seven bipolar scales was developed enabling users to report mood by modifying facial expression images using a slider. Participants completed a tablet/computer task, reporting their mood on these scales mixed randomly with versions which used only words. The HADS was then completed, followed by a repeat run of the two versions in a different, random sequence.
RESULTS:
Exploratory factor analysis identified one factor consistent with pleasantness of mood accounting for 80% of the variance. Internal consistency of D-VAMS was high ( α = 0.95), and there was a high correlation between face-only D-VAMS scores and HADS total scores ( r = -0.80, P < 0.001), as well as HADS-D/HADS-A subscale scores ( r = -0.73, P < 0.001; r = -0.71, P < 0.001). D-VAMS showed good sensitivity and specificity against HADS, with means of 85%/77% (sensitivity/specificity) against the HADS-D and 80%/77% against the HADS-A across nine cut-offs.
CONCLUSION:
D-VAMS is a valid and reliable measure likely suitable for assessment of depressed mood in aphasia following stroke. Though D-VAMS performed well as a screening measure in this study sample, further study is needed in the acute stage post-stroke.

Citation

Barrows, P. D., & Thomas, S. A. (2017). Assessment of mood in aphasia following stroke: validation of the Dynamic Visual Analogue Mood Scales (D-VAMS). Clinical Rehabilitation, https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215517714590

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 20, 2017
• Publication Date: Jun 27, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 4, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 4, 2017
• Journal: Clinical Rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 0269-2155
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-0873
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215517714590
• Keywords: Aphasia, assessment, depression, non-verbal, stroke
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/868053
• Publisher URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269215517714590
• Contract Date: Oct 4, 2017