Mobility Outcome Measures Research Articles

Reliability Of Mobility Outcome Measures In People With End-Stage Renal Disease

Reliability Of Mobility Outcome Measures In People With End-Stage Renal Disease

Reliability Of Mobility Outcome Measures In People With End-Stage Renal Disease

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a condition in which kidney function is permanently impaired. Exercise training programs in people with ESRD have been reported to be beneficial. Outcome measures used to assess effectiveness of such programs must be reliable in order to have confidence in the results. To be accepted as reliable, measures must be capable of differentiating among the clients on whom the measurements are being applied (relative reliability), and must provide consistent values on repeated testing with only small errors of measurement (absolute reliability). Absolute reliability has not yet been determined for common mobility measures used in people with ESRD. PURPOSE To determine the relative and absolute test-retest reliability of the 6-minute walk (6MWT) and timed sit-to-stand in 30 seconds tests (TSS30) in people with ESRD. METHODS 18 people (71 ± 12 yr, 12 males) with ESRD carried out 6MW and TSS30 tests just prior to dialysis on two occasions one week apart. Outcome measures were distance walked (metres) in 6 minutes and number of completed sit-to-stands in 30 seconds. Relative reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) and absolute reliability was assessed with the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC95) statistics. RESULTS All tests were completed without incident. Relative test-retest reliability was excellent for both the 6MWT (ICC2.1=0.88) and TSS30 (ICC2,1=0.90). Absolute test-retest reliability was poor by comparison. The SEM and MDC95 for the 6MWT were 32 m and 89 m respectively, and for the TSS30, 1.7 and 2.5 repetitions respectively. CONCLUSION Sample variability improves relative reliability and reduces absolute reliability. In this sample of people with ESRD, the 6MWT and TSS30 provide reliable relative estimates of performance and are thus appropriate for distinguishing among groups of subjects. However, the magnitude of the absolute reliability statistics suggests that more practice trials are required in order to improve consistency of individual performance in these two mobility measures. Supported by a Baxter Research Award through the London Health Sciences Centre.

Mobility of wheelchair users: a proposed performance assessment framework

Few standardized outcome measures used in the clinical assessment of wheelchair user performance assess or document all the factors that influence mobility. This article presents a conceptual framework that suggests a more all-encompassing view of wheelchair mobility performance assessment. After determining, through a survey of the literature, which factors influence wheelchair mobility, a conceptual framework was proposed. Outcome measures of wheelchair mobility were then surveyed. An analysis of these assessment tools allowed factors to be determined that were considered in the clinical assessment of wheelchair mobility performance. A comparison of these led to observations being drawn, which could allow the development of a valid and reliable standardized outcome measure to be used in clinics. Future improvements to the clinical assessment of wheelchair mobility performance should focus on developing an assessment tool considering all categories of factors influencing wheelchair mobility. These categories are the user's profile, the wheelchair, the environment, the daily activities and social roles and the assessment and training received. A controlled-environment outcome measure using a standardized obstacle course with fundamental situations would allow rehabilitation therapists to evaluate clients for the selection of a wheelchair and to document their progress during training. This tool should make it possible to extrapolate the results and thereby apply them to daily activities and social roles.

Investigating the Suitability of the Clinical Outcome Variables Scale (COVS) as a Mobility Outcome Measure in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Investigating the Suitability of the Clinical Outcome Variables Scale (COVS) as a Mobility Outcome Measure in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Mobility of wheelchair users: a proposed performance assessment framework

Purpose : Few standardized outcome measures used in the clinical assessment of wheelchair user performance assess or document all the factors that influence mobility. This article presents a conceptual framework that suggests a more all-encompassing view of wheelchair mobility performance assessment. Method : After determining, through a survey of the literature, which factors influence wheelchair mobility, a conceptual framework was proposed. Outcome measures of wheelchair mobility were then surveyed. An analysis of these assessment tools allowed factors to be determined that were considered in the clinical assessment of wheelchair mobility performance. A comparison of these led to observations being drawn, which could allow the development of a valid and reliable standardized outcome measure to be used in clinics. Results and Conclusion : Future improvements to the clinical assessment of wheelchair mobility performance should focus on developing an assessment tool considering all categories of factors influencing wheelchair mobility. These categories are the user's profile, the wheelchair, the environment, the daily activities and social roles and the assessment and training received. A controlled-environment outcome measure using a standardized obstacle course with fundamental situations would allow rehabilitation therapists to evaluate clients for the selection of a wheelchair and to document their progress during training. This tool should make it possible to extrapolate the results and thereby apply them to daily activities and social roles.