Detailled Information

Name of the Instrument/Tool The Six-Item CTS Symptoms Scale (CTS-6)
First Description

Quality of life Research

Year 2009
Domains
Concept of constructs Symptom severity
Population/Disease Disease specific
Originally developed for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Other rheumatic diseases
where can be applied (only if validated)
---
Additional population with no rheumatic diseases No
Language: Originally published in English
Available in Language English
REFERENCE IDENTIFICATION
Author/s Atroshi I, Lyren PE, Gummesson C.
Title The 6-item CTS symptoms scale: a brief outcomes measure for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Journal Quality of life Research
Year 2009
Vol 18
Num ---
Pages 347-358
Country ---
Language English
Other references of interest
No other References.
Instrument/Tool Translations References
No other References.
DEVELOPER CONTACT INFORMATION
Correspondence to Isam Atroshi
E-Mail Isam.Atroshi@skane.se
Address Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Website ---
Available ---
Links ---
DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT
Type Of Measure Questionnaire
Brief Description

Developed based on the 11-item Symptom Severity Scale suggested by Levine et al [31]. Of the 11 CTS symptom severity scale items, 2 items that on factor analysis associated with the functional status items were removed. The questionnaire is composed of 6 tests varying from history and physical exam, namely: (1) numbness in the hand and fingers supplied by the median nerve, (2) muscle atrophy and/or weakness, (3) a positive Phalen’s test (standard clinical test used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome), (4) loss of 2-point discrimination (feeling 2 separate points touched on the skin), (5) numbness at night that wakes the patient up, and (6) a positive Tinel’s sign (another standard clinical test used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome).

Number of Items 6
Range 1-5
Responses options/scale Yes
Mean of the 6 items scores 1= best outcome, 5= severe
Developed for Both
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Method of administration Interviewer/assessor, Self-administered
Recommendations to score

5 point Likert Scale

Score Interpretation For each patient, a CTS-6 score was calculated as the mean of the items answered by the patient, with only 1 missing item response allowed, and would thus range from 1 (best) to 5 (worst).
Cut-off points ---
Cut-off points applied to ---
Smallest detectable change if described ---
Smallest detectable change applied to ---
Completion time by the patient 0 minutes
Scoring time by the assessor 0 minutes
Training to score Not necessary
Strengths Easy to use
Limitations ---
OTHER COMMENTS
Other Comments ---