assessing disability and change on individual patients: a report of a patient specific measure

by Lee Von 9 min read

Assessing Disability and Change on Individual Patients: A …

19 hours ago  · Published 1 October 1995. Medicine, Psychology. Physiotherapy Canada. The purpose of this study was to assess a patient specific measure for eliciting and recording patients' problems. While the notion was to develop a measure that would be applicable to a … >> Go To The Portal


What are the components of the patient-specific functional scale?

The patient-specific functional scale: psychometrics, clinimetrics, and application as a clinical outcome measure. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2012 Jan;42 (1):30-D17. ↑ Stratford P, Gill C, Westaway M, Binkley J. Assessing disability and change on individual patients: a report of a patient specific measure.

How do patients rate ability to complete an activity?

Patients rate their ability to complete an activity on an 11-point scale at a level experienced prior to injury or change in functional status. "0" represents “unable to perform.” "10" represents “able to perform at prior level.” Patients select a value that best describes their current level of ability on each activity assessed.

Can the Roland Morris disability questionnaire be used for low back pain?

This patient specific measure was tested on several populations with different conditions and disabilities and in some cases, as with low back pain, was even compared to standard scores i.e. the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire.

Do patients and physical therapists agree on the direction of rehabilitation?

There was total agreement (100%) between patients’ and physical therapists’ ratings of direction of outcome of rehabilitation in the GRC (better/worse/no change) and no systematic deviation could be detected between patients’ and physical therapists’ rating of level ( ± 0–7) of improvement (Sign test p - 0.34).

What does the patient specific functional scale measure?

The PSFS is a valid, reliable, and responsive outcome measure for patients with back, neck, knee and upper extremity problems. It has also been shown to have a high test-retest reliability in both generic lower back pain and knee dysfunction issues.

What is a functional scale?

The Patient-Specific Functional Scale. This useful questionnaire can be used to quantify activity limitation and measure functional outcome for patients with any orthopaedic condition. Clinician to read and fill in below: Complete at the end of the history and prior to physical examination.

What is a specific scale?

A specific scale is defined by its characteristic interval pattern and by a special note, known as its first degree (or tonic). The tonic of a scale is the note selected as the beginning of the octave, and therefore as the beginning of the adopted interval pattern.

How do you grade a patient Specific Functional Scale?

Remember that on the PSFS scale, zero is the worst score (the patient cannot perform the activity) and 10 is the best score (the patient is able to perform the activity at the same level as before the injury or problem). This is the opposite of the VAS scale of pain.

Method

The current study represents a secondary analysis of data obtained from an investigation that examined patient outcomes with a new class-based model of care that involved a series of structured exercise classes for patients post-TKA. Each class lasted approximately 90 minutes, and participants typically attended 10 classes over 5 weeks.

Results

Participants were 133 patients with a mean age of 68.0 years (SD=8.4). Eighty-seven participants were female. The median initial and follow-up assessments occurred 14 days (1st, 3rd quartiles=11, 17) and 51 days (1st, 3rd quartiles=46, 58) postarthroplasty.

Discussion

The goal of this study was to provide information concerning the ability of the PSFS to detect improvement in patients post-TKA. Patients were assessed within 80 days of arthroplasty, and the LEFS scores and change scores of our sample were consistent with those reported previously.

Author notes

All authors provided concept/idea/research design and writing. Ms Kennedy and Ms Wainwright provided data collection, project management, study participants, facilities/equipment, and institutional liaisons. Mr Stratford provided data analysis. Mr Stratford and Ms Kennedy provided consultation (including review of manuscript before submission).

Objective

Patient Specific Functional Scale was developed by Stratford et al 1995 as a self-report outcome measure of function that could be used in patients with varying levels of independence.

Intended Population

The PSFS is a self-reported valid, reliable, and responsive outcome measure for patients with back, neck, knee and upper extremity problems. It has also been shown to have a high test-retest reliability in both generic lower back pain and knee dysfunction issues. It is also clinically responsive to changes over time with chronic pain patients

Method of Use

Patients are asked to identify up to five important activities they are unable to perform or are having difficulty with as a result of their problem eg putting socks on, shopping.

Evidence

The PSFS is a valid, reliable, and responsive outcome measure for patients with back, neck, knee and upper extremity problems. It has also been shown to have a high test-retest reliability in both generic lower back pain and knee dysfunction issues.

How does this Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) calculator work?

This health tool aims to personalize the administration of functional assessments for disability, injury and pain and addresses 3 to 5 main activities in patients over 18 years old. It is a quick scale, administered by a medical professional but in accordance to individual needs.

PSFS score interpretation

Each of the activities used in rated on the scale from 0 to 10 in increments of 1. Activities rated closer to 0 suggest increased difficulty in performing them while activities rated towards 10 are being performed in a similar manner as they used to be before the disability or injury occurred.