Validity and Reliability of 6-minute Pegboard and Ring Test

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Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a severe neurological condition that occurs as a result of traumatic or non-traumatic causes and results in motor, sensory, and/or autonomic dysfunction. Serious and long-term social, physical, and psychological problems that occur following the injury, a rapid decrease in the quality of life of patients, and economic problems such as loss of employment make SCI an important problem with both individual and societal dimensions. The annual SCI incidence is 12.7/million in our country, and the average age of injury is 35.5. Secondary complications that occur in the short and long term following SCI play an important role in the continuity of care of individuals with SCI. According to the data of the National SCI Statistics Center (NSCISC), complications such as pneumonia, atelectasis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pressure ulcers, autonomic dysreflexia, renal problems, and fractures are very common after SCI. It is thought that these complications resulting from SCI are a direct result of immobility. In addition, physical inactivity causes loss of functional independence, decreases quality of life, and significantly affects social participation. The daily life of individuals with SCI often consists of low activity levels and leads loss of physical condition. Therefore, the participation of individuals with SCI in exercise and improvement of cardiovascular health and function is necessary to increase life expectancy and quality. Various upper extremity exercises have been shown to improve the general condition of individuals with SCI. Determination of upper extremity strength, endurance, and exercise capacity in individuals with SCI is an important issue in the management of SCI. One of the tests that serves this purpose is the six-minute pegboard and ring test (6PBRT), which is valid and reliable in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Since 6PBRT is used in clinical and research applications in individuals with SCI, it is important to know its validity and reliability. This study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of 6PBRT in individuals with SCI.