Shoulder Rating Questionnaire

Abstract

The Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) is a self-report instrument designed to assess the functional status and perceived disability associated with shoulder disorders. It integrates a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for a global assessment of function, alongside 20 specific questions. These items are organized into seven distinct domains, comprehensively covering aspects such as pain severity, performance of daily activities, engagement in leisure and sports, work capacity, patient satisfaction, and identified areas for improvement.

Keywords

Shoulder Rating Questionnaire, SRQ, Shoulder function, Visual Analog Scale, VAS, Upper extremity, Musculoskeletal system, Patient-reported outcome, Daily activities, Psychometrics.

Authors

Línsalata JC, et al. (1997); Vermeulen HM, et al. (2005) (Dutch Version).

Purpose

The primary purpose of the SRQ is to provide clinicians and researchers with a standardized, multidimensional tool for evaluating the outcomes of interventions for patients suffering from various shoulder pathologies. It moves beyond simple pain measures by incorporating subjective assessments of how the condition impacts the patient’s quality of life and functional capacity.

It is specifically engineered to measure changes in shoulder function over time, making it valuable for longitudinal studies and for monitoring rehabilitation progress in clinical settings. The inclusion of domains like satisfaction and points for improvement allows for a holistic, patient-centered evaluation of treatment efficacy.

Construct

The SRQ operationalizes the construct of health-related functional status as it pertains specifically to the shoulder and upper extremity. This construct is understood to be multi-faceted, encompassing both objective limitations (e.g., inability to perform certain activities) and subjective experiences (e.g., perceived pain and dissatisfaction).

The scale measures the impact of shoulder pathology across seven distinct, yet interrelated, sub-constructs or domains: 1. Pain, 2. Daily Activities, 3. Leisure/Sports Activities, 4. Work Capacity, 5. Patient Satisfaction, 6. Points for Improvement, and 7. Global Function (assessed via VAS). This comprehensive approach reflects the complex nature of musculoskeletal system disorders and their influence on participation.

Validity

While the initial development by Línsalata et al. (1997) established foundational validity, comprehensive data regarding construct validity (e.g., correlation with established measures like the DASH or Constant Score) and criterion validity are typically detailed in primary psychometric studies. Studies examining the Dutch version (Vermeulen HM, et al., 2005) specifically focused on confirming the clinical utility and cross-cultural equivalence necessary for application in that population.

The instrument’s design, covering multiple domains of function and participation (Activities, Mobility/movement, General Participation, Sensory functions and pain), suggests strong face validity for assessing the overall impact of shoulder pathology on a patient’s life.

Reliability

Reliability studies, essential for confirming the consistency of the SRQ, generally focus on internal consistency (often measured by Cronbach’s Alpha across the domains) and test-retest reliability. High reliability scores ensure that observed changes in patient scores are due to genuine clinical changes rather than measurement error. The reliability of the Dutch version was specifically assessed during its translation and validation process to ensure its suitability for research and clinical practice.

Factor Analysis

The SRQ is structured around seven predefined domains. Initial factor analysis would have been crucial during its development (Línsalata et al., 1997) to confirm that the 20 items empirically load onto these hypothesized factors (Pain, Activities, Work, etc.). Subsequent validation studies, particularly for translated versions, often perform confirmatory factor analysis to verify the structural integrity of the scale across different linguistic and cultural groups, supporting the multidimensional scoring approach.

Instrument

Test Type: Questionnaire (Self-report Patient-Reported Outcome Measure – PROM)

Format: The instrument combines a single-item Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for global function assessment with 20 structured, multi-item questions distributed across seven functional domains.

Language Available: Original English (1997); Dutch Version (2005).

Population Group: Patients with shoulder pathology or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Age Group: Adults and Elderly.

Population Details: Applicable to individuals requiring assessment of activities, mobility/movement, general participation, and sensory functions/pain related to the shoulder joint and surrounding upper extremity structures.

Test Methodology: The SRQ is typically administered as a paper-and-pencil or digital self-report questionnaire. Scoring involves domain-specific calculations, often standardized to a 0-100 scale, where higher scores typically indicate better function or less disability.

Keywords

PROM, Disability assessment, Pain measurement, Shoulder pathology, Rehabilitation outcome, Functional status, Línsalata, Vermeulen, Psychometrics.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Information requires searching primary papers)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Information requires searching primary papers)

Correspondence Address: N/A (Information requires searching primary papers)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The original conceptualization and publication year for the SRQ is 1997 (Línsalata JC, et al.). The validated Dutch version was published in 2005 (Vermeulen HM, et al.). Researchers and clinicians should consult the primary publications for specific details regarding copyright permissions and potential usage fees associated with the instrument.

Supporting documentation for the Dutch version is available. The explanation form (Toelichtingsformulier) can be accessed here: SRQ Explanation Form PDF. The original measurement instrument (Meetinstrument) is available here: SRQ Measurement Instrument PDF. Additional data is available in this file: SRQ Miscellaneous XLS.

Reference’s

Línsalata JC, et al. (1997). The Shoulder Rating Questionnaire: Development and initial validation of a self-report measure of shoulder function.

Vermeulen HM, et al. (2005). Development and psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ).

Items of the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way. Note: The source provided a list of the 7 domains covered by the 20 questions, rather than the specific item text.

The 20 questions are distributed over the following 7 domains:

• Pijn (Pain)
• Dagelijkse activiteiten (Daily Activities)
• Vrijetijdsbesteding /sportactiviteiten (Leisure/Sports Activities)
• Werk (Work)
• Tevredenheid (Satisfaction)
• Punten van verbetering (Points for Improvement)
• Globale indruk van de schouderfunctie (Global Impression of Shoulder function via VAS)