Goal Attainment Scaling: Is it appropriate for stroke patients and their physiotherapists?

Abstract

Although much is known about the biological correlates of stroke there is a dearth of information regarding patients' expectations and physiotherapy outcomes in stroke units. Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is being used increasingly in the USA in rehabilitation facilities to measure outcome. This exploratory study aimed to determine the feasibility of physiotherapists and patients using GAS, and to discover the extent of congruence between patients' and therapists' goals. During a four-month period stroke patients and physiotherapists independently scaled goals. These were set and scaled successfully by all the patients in the pilot study, who were able to identify problems and scale goals with minimal guidance from a therapist. Physiotherapist-set goals related more often to a physical activity, whereas patients' goals related directly to functional outcome. Patients failed to reach their expected levels more frequently for their self-set goals, than for physiotherapist-determined goals. It is recommended that physiotherapists should explore further the use of GAS with stroke patients. Although much is known about the biological correlates of stroke there is a dearth of information regarding patients' expectations and physiotherapy outcomes in stroke units. Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is being used increasingly in the USA in rehabilitation facilities to measure outcome. This exploratory study aimed to determine the feasibility of physiotherapists and patients using GAS, and to discover the extent of congruence between patients' and therapists' goals. During a four-month period stroke patients and physiotherapists independently scaled goals. These were set and scaled successfully by all the patients in the pilot study, who were able to identify problems and scale goals with minimal guidance from a therapist. Physiotherapist-set goals related more often to a physical activity, whereas patients' goals related directly to functional outcome. Patients failed to reach their expected levels more frequently for their self-set goals, than for physiotherapist-determined goals. It is recommended that physiotherapists should explore further the use of GAS with stroke patients.