The perceived handicap questionnaire: A self perceived handicap measurement in patients with spinal cord injury

Handicap exists when individuals with impairment or disability are unable to fulfill one or more of the roles that are considered normal for their age, gender, and culture. In fact, handicap is one of the most poorly measured of all rehabilitation outcomes. This study was performed to measure the subjective experience of handicap in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients who had permanent disabilities and were often faced with environmental barriers. Eighty-three new traumatic SCI patients with a mean age of 33 years were interviewed during follow-up outpatient clinic visits using the Perceived Handicap Questionnaire (PHQ). This test provides a global measurement of the extent of self-perceived handicap across five dimensions based on the WHO's classification of handicap. When compared with normal persons, SCI subjects perceived themselves as more handicapped in all dimensions especially mobility and physical independence. In contrast, the majority of SCI subjects perceived themselves as less handicapped than others with SCI in physical independence, and equally handicapped in social integration and in economic self-sufficiency. In addition, the Barthel Index Score of self-care activities was negatively correlated with the PHQ score, but the depression score and hospitalization period were positively correlated with the PHQ score. Rehabilitation professionals should pay attention to the measurement of societal functioning or handicap in addition to disability.