Outcome measures for individuals with multiple sclerosis: recommendations from the American Physical Therapy Association Neurology Section task force

• Published in: Physical therapy 2014-05, Vol.94 (5), p.593-608
• Main Authors: Potter, Kirsten, Cohen, Evan T, Allen, Diane D, Bennett, Susan E, Brandfass, Kathi G, Widener, Gail L, Yorke, Amy M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Delphi Technique; Humans; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - rehabilitation; Patient outcomes; Peer Review; Physical therapists; Physical therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Task forces; Therapeutics, Physiological; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0031-9023; 1538-6724
• DOI: 10.2522/ptj.20130149

Various studies have described the benefits of using outcome measures (OM) in physical therapist practice; however, multiple barriers interfere with their use. Most notably, a limited understanding of how to select and apply the best OM has been reported to be a barrier. The purposes of this article are to: 1. describe the process used by the MSTF to evaluate the psychometric data and clinical utility of OMs for use in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), 2. describe the consensus process used to recommend OMs for this patient population, and 3. provide evidence-based recommendations to assist clinicians in selecting appropriate OMs for people with MS. Of these, 36 measured aspects of body function/ structure, 40 pertained to activity, and 17 pertained to participation. Seventeen OMs were MS specific, whereas 46 were generic or pertained to other diagnostic groups. Twenty-three of the OMs reviewed used a self-report method of administration, 38 used a performance-based method, and 2 used a combination of both methods.