Charlson Comorbidity Index: A Critical Review of Clinimetric Properties.

The present critical review was conducted to evaluate the clinimetric properties of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), an assessment tool designed specifically to predict long-term mortality, with regard to its reliability, concurrent validity, sensitivity, incremental and predictive validity. The original version of the CCI has been adapted for use with different sources of data, ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. The inter-rater reliability of the CCI was found to be excellent, with extremely high agreement between self-report and medical charts. The CCI has also been shown either to have concurrent validity with a number of other prognostic scales or to result in concordant predictions. Importantly, the clinimetric sensitivity of the CCI has been demonstrated in a variety of medical conditions, with stepwise increases in the CCI associated with stepwise increases in mortality. The CCI is also characterized by the clinimetric property of incremental validity, whereby adding the CCI to other measures increases the overall predictive accuracy. It has been shown to predict long-term mortality in different clinical populations, including medical, surgical, intensive care unit (ICU), trauma, and cancer patients. It may also predict in-hospital mortality, although in some instances, such as ICU or trauma patients, the CCI did not perform as well as other instruments designed specifically for that purpose. The CCI thus appears to be clinically useful not only to provide a valid assessment of the patient's unique clinical situation, but also to demarcate major diagnostic and prognostic differences among subgroups of patients sharing the same medical diagnosis.

Development and clinimetric properties of the Dutch Breast Edema Questionnaire (BrEQ-Dutch version) to diagnose the presence of breast edema in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To develop a diagnostic tool, the Breast Edema Questionnaire (BrEQ) and to determine its clinimetric properties. METHODS: The BrEQ was developed based on information from literature, experts and breast edema patients. Content validity, construct validity, test-retest reliability, internal consistency and cut-off point were investigated in a group of breast cancer patients. Construct validity made up two parts; convergent and known-groups validity. Convergent validity was tested by correlating the BrEQ with skin thickness measured with ultrasound (US). RESULTS: In part 1 of the BrEQ, symptoms of breast edema were scored from 0 to 10: pain, heaviness, swelling, tensed skin, redness, pitting sign, enlarged skin pores and hardness. Taking into account the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, several activity limitations and participation restrictions were scored from 0 to 10 in part 2. Clinimetric properties of part 1 were examined in 55 patients. US showed that 35 women had breast edema. Content validity was good. Regarding convergent validity, all breast symptoms correlated moderately with skin thickness. The total symptom score had a strong correlation with skin thickness. Concerning known-groups validity, patients with breast edema had a higher total symptom score. Test-retest reliability ranged between moderate and strong. The internal consistency was good for all items and the total symptom score. We identified that a score cut-off point of ≥ 8.5 discriminates between patients with breast edema and those without. CONCLUSION: Part 1 of the BrEQ-Dutch version is a valid and reliable tool for assessing clinical indicators of breast edema.

Development of two instruments for assessing maternity health needs: protocol of a clinimetric study.

BACKGROUND: There is an unquestionable need to adapt health care to the needs of each woman, to foster her self-confidence and provide her with the autonomy to manage her own maternity. This involves empowering her to choose and face her model of childbirth and childcare responsibly. The range of self-management health needs tests offered by the scientific community at this stage of life is practically non-existent. In this project, we intend to develop and evaluate the validity, reliability and ease of use of two self-administered analysis instruments for: 1.- Needs of women preparing for childbirth and 2.- Identification of alarm symptoms in the puerperium. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of the clinimetric characteristics and usability of two developed self-applied digital instruments for measuring needs in childbirth and postpartum based on the recommendations made in the consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN) and by the International Test Commission (ITC). The study consists of two phases: 1 - Evaluation of the clinimetric properties of the two instruments, which were developed and then altered, based on their comprehensibility and global usability estimated from a pilot study and 2 - Pre-implementation study. DISCUSSION: The final product will be two valid, reliable, usable instruments for self-assessment of health needs that are highly acceptable to young couples and the professionals who serve them. They will be a valuable resource for meeting the needs of the population more efficiently and guiding decision-making, and they will contribute to the greater sustainability of the health system.

Angioedema quality of life questionnaire (AE-QoL) - interpretability and sensitivity to change.

BACKGROUND: The Angioedema Quality of Life (AE-QoL) is the first patient reported outcome measure developed for the assessment of quality of life (QoL) impairment in patients with recurrent angioedema (RAE). This study aimed to evaluate the clinimetric properties of the AE-QoL in Thai patients and to establish categories of QoL impairment assessed by the AE-QoL. METHODS: The validated Thai version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Patient Global Assessment of Quality of Life (PGA-QoL) were used to comparatively evaluate the Thai version of AE-QoL. Spearman correlations between the Thai AE-QoL and two other standard measurements (DLQI and PGA-QoL) were investigated to determine convergent validity. The Thai DLQI and PGA-QoL were used to categorize patients according to their QoL. Known-group validity of the Thai AE-QoL was later analyzed. The reliability of the Thai AE-QoL was investigated using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation. Three different approaches including the distribution method, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and the anchor based-method were used for the interpretability. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients with RAE with a median age of 38.0 ± 15.1 years (range 18-76) were enrolled. Of those, 76 patients (88%) had RAE with concomitant wheals, and 10 patients (11.6%) had RAE only. The AE-QoL assessed RAE-mediated QoL impairment with high convergent validity and known-groups validity, high internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and good sensitivity to change. Although the AE-QoL did not differentiate between patients with moderate and large effect as measured by PGA-QoL or DLQI in this study, AE-QoL total values of 0-23, 24 to 38, and ≥ 39 could define patients with "no effect", "small effect", and "moderate to large effect" of RAE on their QoL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the validity and reliability of the Thai version of the AE-QoL, which is a very different language from the original version. Categories allow to classify the effect of RAE on patients' QoL as "none", "small", and "moderate to large". Further studies are needed to confirm the applicability of AE-QoL in other Asian populations".

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Hungarian version of the Core Outcome Measures Index for the back (COMI Back).

PURPOSE: The Core Outcome Measure Index (COMI) is a short, multidimensional outcome instrument developed for the evaluation of patients with spinal conditions. The aim of this study was to produce a cross-culturally adapted and validated Hungarian version of the COMI Back questionnaire. METHODS: A cross-cultural adaptation of the COMI into Hungarian was carried out using established guidelines. Low back pain patients completed a booklet of questionnaires containing the Hungarian versions of COMI, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and WHO Quality of Life-BREF assessment (WHOQOL-BREF). The validation of the COMI included assessment of its construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness. RESULTS: 145 patients participated in the assessment of reliability and 159 surgically treated patients were included in the responsiveness study. Excellent correlation was found between COMI and ODI scores (rho = 0.83, p < 0.01). The COMI showed a very good correlation with the physical subscale of WHOQOL-BREF (rho = -0.75, p < 0.01) and pain (rho = 0.68, p < 0.01). Test-retest analysis showed that Hungarian COMI is a reliable measurement tool (ICC = 0.92) with an acceptable standard error of measurement (SEM = 0.59) and minimum detectable change (MDC = 1.63). Internal responsiveness analysis indicated a large effect size (1.16) for the change in COMI score after lumbar surgery. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the COMI score compared with the global outcome of the surgery was 0.87. CONCLUSION: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the COMI into the Hungarian language was successful, resulting in a reliable and valid measurement tool with good clinimetric properties.

The self-reported Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) is a valid and clinically applicable measure in lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) is an important outcome in lung cancer; however, there is lack of consensus as to the best method for assessment. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) is a commonly used questionnaire. The aim of this study was to assess the clinimetric properties of the PASE in lung cancer, specifically validity, predictive utility and clinical applicability (floor/ceiling effects, responsiveness and minimal important difference [MID]). METHODS: This is a prospective observational study. Sixty-nine participants (62 % male, median [IQR] age 68 years [61-74]) with lung cancer completed the PASE at diagnosis at 2, 4 and 6 months. Additional measures included movement sensors (steps/day), physical function, health-related quality of life, functional capacity (6-min walk distance [6MWD]), and muscle strength. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to assess relationships. Linear regression analyses were conducted to determine predictive utility of the PASE for health status at 6 months. Responsiveness (effect size) and MID (distribution-based estimation) were calculated. RESULTS: The PASE was administered on 176 occasions. The PASE had moderate convergent validity with movement sensors (rho = 0.50 [95 %CI = 0.29-0.66], p < 0.005) and discriminated between participants classed as sedentary/insufficient/sufficient according to PA guidelines (p < 0.005). The PASE had fair-moderate construct validity with measures of physical function (rho = 0.57 [95 %CI = 0.46-0.66], p < 0.005), 6MWD (rho = 0.40 [95 %CI = 0.23-0.55], p < 0.005), and strength (rho = 0.37 [95 %CI = 0.18-0.54], p < 0.005). The PASE (at diagnosis) exhibited predictive utility for physical function (Bcoef = 0.35, p = 0.008) and quality of life (Bcoef = 0.35, p = 0.023) at 6 months. A small floor effect was observed (3 %); however, there was no ceiling effect. There was a small responsiveness to change (effect size = 0.23) and MID between 17 and 25 points. CONCLUSIONS: The PASE is a valid measure of self-reported PA in lung cancer.

Oswestry Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale: Responsiveness and Minimal Clinically Important Changes in Iranian People with Lumbar Disc Herniation Following Physiotherapy.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the responsiveness of the Persian version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) and detect minimal clinically important changes (MCICs) of these questionnaires in people with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: Ninety-two patients with lumbar herniated disc completed the Persianversion of the ODI, RMDQ, and QBPDS before and after the physiotherapy intervention. Additionally, they completed a global rating of change scale after the final physiotherapy session to give an account of non-improved and improved outcomes. The responsiveness of these three disability questionnaires was represented by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and correlation analyses. The MCIC was defined as the best cut-off when sensitivity and specificity were optimally balanced. Results: Area under the ROC curves are in the acceptable range for ODI and QBPDS (0.78 and 0.70, respectively). Moreover, ODI, RMDQ, and QBPDS have significant positive fair to moderate correlation with the external anchor (P<0.001). The MCIC values for ODI, RMDQ, and QBPDS were 13, 5.5, and 14.5 points, respectively. Conclusion: Our results revealed that the ODI and QBPDS questionnaires have adequate responsiveness to detect improvements in the functional status of lumbar herniated disc patients following a physiotherapy treatment. Therefore, the ODI and QBPDS seem to be superior to the RMDQ for use in randomized clinical trials and clinical settings in patients with herniated lumbar discs. The MCIC scores of 13 and 14.5 obtained for the ODI and QBPDS can help to identify important changes in the clinical status of an individual patient and treatment efficacy.

Responsiveness and minimal clinically important changes of common patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures of physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: We investigate and compare responsiveness of the physical function subscales of patient-reported measures of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and performance-based measures of the timed up-and-go test and 6-min walk test and determine the minimal clinically important change (MCIC) values in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients following physiotherapy intervention. METHODS: One hundred patients were asked to complete the WOMAC and OKS and to perform the timed up-and-go test and 6-min walk test once pre-intervention and again after 4-week physiotherapy intervention (post-intervention). Responsiveness was determined by correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The WOMAC-physical function subscale (WOMAC-PF), OKS-functional component score (OKS-FCS), timed up-and-go test, and 6-min walk test showed moderate-to-good relationships with the patients' global rating scale (Spearman correlation ranges = 0.51-0.56). All outcome measures of physical function showed the area under the curve (AUC) >0.70 (AUC ranges = 0.78-0.82). The MCIC values were 12.5 points for WOMAC-PF, 17.5 points for OKS-FCS, 2.82 s for timed up-and-go test, 61 m for 6-min walk test. CONCLUSIONS: All outcome measures have adequate responsiveness to detect clinical improvements over time in functional status following the physiotherapy intervention in patients with knee OA. The MCIC values can help clinicians and researchers to make a decision based on the clinical significance of improvements in patients' functional status.

Measurement properties of performance-based measures to assess physical function in chronic kidney disease: recommendations from a COSMIN systematic review.

Background: There is wide heterogeneity in physical function tests available for clinical and research use, hindering our ability to synthesize evidence. The aim of this review was to identify and evaluate physical function measures that could be recommended for standardized use in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from inception to March 2022, identifying studies that evaluated a clinimetric property (validity, reliability, measurement error and/or responsiveness) of an objectively measured performance-based physical function outcomes using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) methodology and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) based recommendations. Studies with individuals of all ages and of any stage of CKD were included. Results: In total, 50 studies with 21 315 participants were included. Clinimetric properties were reported for 22 different physical function tests. The short physical performance battery (SPPB), Timed-up-and-go (TUG) test and Sit-to-stand tests (STS-5 and STS-60) had favorable properties to support their use in CKD and should be integrated into routine use. However, the majority of studies were conducted in the hemodialysis population, and very few provided information regarding validity or reliability. Conclusion: The SPPB demonstrated the highest quality of evidence for reliability, measurement error and construct validity amongst transplant, CKD and dialysis patients. This review is an important step towards standardizing a core outcome set of tools to measure physical function in research and clinical settings for the CKD population.

Clinimetric properties of the Perme Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score -a multicenter study for minimum important difference and responsiveness analysis.

Background: The use of instruments in clinical practice with measurement properties tested is highly recommended, in order to provide adequate assessment and measurement of outcomes. Objective: To calculate the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) and responsiveness of the Perme Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score (Perme Score). Methods: This retrospective, multicentric study investigated the clinimetric properties of MCID, estimated by constructing the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC). Maximizing sensitivity and specificity by Youden's, the ROC curve calibration was performed by the Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Additionally, we established the responsiveness, floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, and predictive validity of the Perme Score. Results: A total of 1.200 adult patients records from four mixed general intensive care units (ICUs) were included. To analyze which difference clinically reflects a relevant evolution we calculated the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98), and the optimal cut-off value of 7.0 points was established. No substantial floor (8.8%) or ceiling effects (4.9%) were observed at ICU discharge. However, a moderate floor effect was observed at ICU admission (19.3%), in contrast to a very low incidence of ceiling effect (0.6%). The Perme Score at ICU admission was associated with hospital mortality, OR 0.86 (95% CI: 0.82-0.91), and the predictive validity for ICU stay presented a mean ratio of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96-0.98). Conclusion: Our findings support the establishment of the minimum clinically important difference and responsiveness of the Perme Score as a measure of mobility status in the ICU.

Antecedentes: Se recomienda encarecidamente el uso de instrumentos en la práctica clínica con propiedades de medición probadas, con el fin de proporcionar una evaluación y medición adecuada de los resultados. Objetivo: Calcular la diferencia mínima clínicamente importante (MCID) y la capacidad de respuesta de la puntuación de movilidad de la unidad de cuidados intensivos de Perme (Perme Score). Métodos: Este estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo investigó las propiedades clinimétricas de MCID, estimadas mediante la construcción de la característica operativa del receptor (ROC). Maximizando la sensibilidad y especificidad mediante la prueba de Youden, la calibración de la curva ROC se realizó mediante la prueba de bondad de ajuste de Hosmer y Lemeshow. Además, establecimos la capacidad de respuesta, los efectos suelo y techo, la consistencia interna y la validez predictiva del Perme Score. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 1,200 registros de pacientes adultos de cuatro unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) generales mixtas. Para analizar qué diferencia refleja clínicamente una evolución relevante calculamos el área bajo la curva (AUC) de 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98); y se estableció el valor de corte óptimo de 7.0 puntos. No se observaron efectos suelo (8.8%) o techo (4.9%) sustanciales al alta de la UCI. Sin embargo, se observó un efecto suelo moderado al ingreso en la UCI (19.3%), en contraste con una incidencia muy baja del efecto techo (0.6%). El Perme Score al ingreso en UCI se asoció con la mortalidad hospitalaria, OR 0.86 (95% CI: 0.82-0.91), y la validez predictiva de estancia en UCI presentó una relación media de 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96-0.98). Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos respaldan el establecimiento de la diferencia mínima clínicamente importante y la capacidad de respuesta de el Perme Score como medida del estado de movilidad en la UCI.

Responsiveness and minimal important changes of the OARSI core set of performance-based measures in patients with knee osteoarthritis following physiotherapy intervention.

PURPOSE: The Osteoarthritis Research Society International has recommended a core set of performance-based tests of physical function for use in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The core set includes 30-second chair stand test (30-s CST), 4 × 10 m fast-paced walk test (40-m FPWT), and a stair climb test. This study aimed to evaluate responsiveness and minimal important changes (MICs) of these performance-based measures in knee OA patients following physiotherapy. METHODS: Sixty patients with knee OA, undergoing 4-week physiotherapy performed 30-s CST, 40-m FPWT, and 4-step stair climb test (4-step SCT) at pre- and post-intervention. Patients also completed the 7-point global rating scale as an external anchor at post-intervention. Responsiveness was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics curve and correlation analysis. RESULTS: All three performance-based measures of physical function showed area under the curve > 0.70. Correlation analysis showed relationship of 30-s CST, 40-m FPWT, and 4-Step SCT with the external anchor fell within moderate to good range (Spearman = 0.43-0.63). Furthermore, MIC values reflecting improvement for 30-s CST, 40-m FPWT, and 4-Step SCT were 2.5, 0.21, and 3.21, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated all three performance-based measures have good responsiveness to measure improvement in physical functions of knee OA patients following physiotherapy. The MIC reflecting improvement can help clinicians and researchers to make a decision based on the clinical significance of improvements in patients' functional status.

Validity and reliability of an electromyography-based similarity index to quantify lower extremity selective voluntary motor control in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To quantify selective voluntary motor control (SVMC) objectively and more precisely, we combined the "Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity" (SCALE) with surface electromyography. The resulting Similarity Index (SI) measures the similarity of muscle activation patterns. This study evaluated the preliminary validity and reliability of this novel SISCALE measure in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: We investigated concurrent validity by correlating the SISCALE of 24 children with CP (median age 10.6 years) with comparator assessments. For discriminative validity, the patients' SISCALE scores were compared to 31 neurologically intact age-matched peers. Test-retest reliability was quantified using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimal detectable change (MDC) values. Results: The SISCALE correlated strongly with the SCALE (ρ = 0.90, p < .001) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (ρ = -0.74, p < .001). SISCALE scores were significantly lower in children with CP compared to healthy peers. Test-retest reliability appeared good (for the more and less affected leg, ICC ≥ 0.84, and MDC ≤ 0.17). Conclusions: Validity and reliability of the SISCALE leg and total scores lay within clinically acceptable ranges. Further clinimetric analyses should include responsiveness. Significance: A neurophysiology-based assessment could contribute to a more refined assessment of SVMC impairments.

The scale for retropulsion: Internal consistency, reliability and construct validity.

BACKGROUND: Retropulsion is an impairment of body orientation against gravity in the sagittal plane. In a Delphi study, the Scale for Retropulsion (SRP) was developed with a high level of expert agreement. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinimetric properties of the German SRP in patients with neurological disorders. METHODS: The SRP was applied to 70 hospitalized patients with neurological disorders (stroke, critical illness neuropathy and/or myopathy, Parkinson syndromes). Internal consistency was determined with the Cronbach ɑ. Test-retest and interrater reliabilities were evaluated with the weighted kappa, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman plots. The construct validity was evaluated with Spearman correlation. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) SRP score was 5 (3-8) and ranged from 0 to 22 (total scale range: 0 to 24). The SRP had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach ɑ=0.875) and good to excellent test-retest reliability (weighted kappa=0.957, ICC=0.957) and interrater reliability (weighted kappa=0.837, ICC=0.837). Analysis of construct validity resulted in good correlations with other clinical balance scales (rSp>0.80), and fair to moderate correlations with posturographic measures (rSp=0.27-0.56) and the subjective postural vertical error in the sagittal plane (rSp=-0.325, P=0.012) as well as the range in the frontal plane (rSp=0.359, P=0.007). The SRP discriminated between patients classified with and without retropulsion by an independent clinical expert (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The SRP provides a valid and reliable bedside test to quantify retropulsion in individuals with neurological disorders.

Instrumented strength assessment in typically developing children and children with a neural or neuromuscular disorder: A reliability, validity and responsiveness study.

The aim of this study was to determine the clinimetric properties, i.e., reliability, validity and responsiveness of an instrumented strength assessment in typically developing (TD) children and children with cerebral palsy (CP) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Force (N), torque (Nm) and normalized torque (Nm/kg) were defined for maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the lower limb muscles using a pre-established protocol. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) of TD children (n = 14), children with CP (n = 11) and DMD (n = 11) were used to evaluate intra-rater reliability for the three cohorts and the inter-rater intersession as well as inter-rater intrasession reliability for TD children. Construct validity was assessed by comparing MVICs in TD children (n = 28) to children with CP (n = 26) and to children with DMD (n = 30), using the Kruskal Wallis and post-hoc Mann-Whitney U tests. Responsiveness was investigated by assessing changes in MVICs following a strength intervention in CP (n = 26) and a 1 and 2 year follow-up study in DMD (n = 13 and n = 6, respectively), using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. The overall intra-rater reliability, was classified as good to excellent for 65.1%, moderate for 27.0% and poor for 7.9% of the measures (47.6%, 76.2%, and 66.7% good-excellent; 28.6%, 23.8%, and 33.7% moderate; 23.8%, 0%, and 0% poor in TD, CP, and DMD, respectively), while ICC values for TD children were slightly lower for inter-rater intrasession reliability (38.1% good-excellent, 33.3% moderate and 26.6% poor) and for inter-rater intersession reliability (47.6% good-excellent, 23.8% moderate and 28.6% poor). Children with CP and DMD were significantly weaker than TD children (p < 0.001) and the majority of these strength differences exceeded the MDC. Children with CP significantly improved strength after training, with changes that exceeded the SEMs, whereas only limited strength decreases over time were observed in the DMD cohort. In conclusion, the investigated instrumented strength assessment was sufficiently reliable to confirm known-group validity for both cohorts and could detect the responsiveness of children with CP after a strength intervention. However, more research is necessary to determine the responsiveness of this assessment in children with DMD regarding their natural decline.

Erratum: Instrumented strength assessment in typically developing children and children with a neural or neuromuscular disorder: A reliability, validity and responsiveness study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.855222.].

Clinimetric properties of visuo-perceptual and visuo-cognitive assessment tools used for children with cerebral visual impairment and cerebral palsy or developmental delay: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the psychometrics and clinical utility of visuo-perceptual and visuo-cognitive assessment tools in children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and cerebral palsy (CP) or neurodevelopmental delay (DD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database) were comprehensively searched from 1970 till June 2021. The PRISMA checklist was utilised to report on the process of selecting eligible papers. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using COnsenus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstrument (COSMIN) checklist. RESULTS: Of the 26 assessment tools identified, only seven tools had psychometric evidence supporting their use. Based on COSMIN guidelines, 60% of included studies were rated as inadequate or doubtful for their methodological quality of measurement properties, with equal number being rated as indeterminate on the overall rating. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral visual impairment due to its varied clinical presentation is often missed in children with CP and DD. There is a paucity of studies reporting on the validity and reliability of functional vision tools. Further studies are needed to conduct high-quality psychometric reporting using the updated COSMIN guidelines to identify appropriate functional vision tools for children with CP or DD.Implications for rehabilitationThere are paucity of studies evaluating the validity and reliability of existing perceptual and cognitive assessment tools in children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and cerebral palsy (CP).Development of age-appropriate assessment tools evaluating all aspects of functional vision will assist in providing more holistic child-centric rehabilitation programs.A combination of detailed perinatal history, direct observation, and clinical assessments of functional vision are important to recognise CVI in children with CP.

Clinician-administered performance-based tests via telehealth in people with chronic lower limb musculoskeletal disorders: Test-retest reliability and agreement with in-person assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Uptake of telehealth has surged, yet no previous studies have evaluated the clinimetric properties of clinician-administered performance-based tests of function, strength, and balance via telehealth in people with chronic lower limb musculoskeletal pain. This study investigated the: (i) test-retest reliability of performance-based tests via telehealth, and (ii) agreement between scores obtained via telehealth and in-person. METHODS: Fifty-seven adults aged ≥45 years with chronic lower limb musculoskeletal pain underwent three testing sessions: one in-person and two via videoconferencing. Tests included 30-s chair stand, 5-m fast-paced walk, stair climb, timed up and go, step test, timed single-leg stance, and calf raises. Test-retest reliability and agreement were assessed via intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC; lower limit of 95% confidence interval (CI) ≥0.70 considered acceptable). ICCs were interpreted as poor (<0.5), moderate (0.5-0.75), good (0.75-0.9), or excellent (>0.9). RESULTS: Test-retest reliability was good-excellent with acceptable lower CI for stair climb test, timed up and go, right leg timed single-leg stance, and calf raises (ICC = 0.84-0.91, 95% CI lower limit = 0.71-0.79). Agreement between telehealth and in-person was good-excellent with acceptable lower CI for 30-s chair stand, left leg single-leg stance, and calf raises (ICC = 0.82-0.91, 95% CI lower limit = 0.71-0.85). DISCUSSION: Stair climb, timed up and go, right leg timed single-leg stance, and calf raise tests have acceptable reliability for use via telehealth in research and clinical practice. If re-testing via a different mode (telehealth/in-person), clinicians and researchers should consider using the 30-s chair stand test, left leg timed single-leg stance, and calf raise tests.

The measurements of frailty and their possible application to spinal conditions: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Frailty is associated with an increased risk of postoperative adverse events (AEs) within the surgical spine population. Multiple frailty tools have been reported in the surgical spine literature. However, the applicability of these tools remains unclear. PURPOSE: Primary objective is to appraise the construct, feasibility, objectivity, and clinimetric properties of frailty tools reported in the surgical spine literature. Secondary objectives included determining the applicability and the most sensitive surgical spine population for each tool. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic Review. PATIENT SAMPLE: Studies reporting the use of a clinical frailty tool with a defined methodology in the adult surgical population (age ≥18 years). OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative adverse events (AEs) including mortality, major and minor morbidity, length of stay (LOS), unplanned readmission and reoperation, admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and adverse discharge disposition; postoperative patient-reported outcomes (health-related quality of life (HRQoL), functional, cognitive, and symptomatic); radiographic outcomes; and postoperative frailty trajectory. METHODS: This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42019109045. Publications from January 1950 to December 2020 were identified by a comprehensive search of PubMed, Ovid, and Embase, supplemented by manual screening. Studies reporting and validating a frailty tool in the surgical spine population with a measurable outcome were included. Each tool and its clinimetric properties were evaluated using validated criteria and definitions. The applicability of each tool and its most sensitive surgical spine population was determined by panel consensus. Bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: 47 studies were included in the final qualitative analysis. A total of 14 separate frailty tools were identified, in which 9 tools assessed frailty according to the cumulative deficit definition, while 4 instruments utilized phenotypic or weighted frailty models. One instrument assessed frailty according to the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) model. Twelve measures were validated as risk stratification tools for predicting postoperative AEs, while 1 tool investigated the effect of spine surgery on postoperative frailty trajectory. The modified frailty index (mFI), 5-item mFI, adult spinal deformity frailty index (ASD-FI), FRAIL Scale, and CGA had the most positive ratings for clinimetric properties assessed. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of frailty is important in the surgical decision-making process. Cumulative deficit and weighted frailty instruments are appropriate risk stratification tools. Phenotypic tools are sensitive for capturing the relationship between spinal pathology, spine surgery, and prehabilitation on frailty trajectory. CGA instruments are appropriate screening tools for identifying health deficits susceptible to improvement and guiding optimization strategies. Studies are needed to determine whether spine surgery and prehabilitation are effective interventions to reverse frailty.

Construct and criterion validity of the functional gait assessment-Brazil in community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: The functional gait assessment (FGA) is a reliable instrument to evaluate walking balance in the Brazilian older population. However, other measurement properties need investigation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the construct and criterion validity of the FGA-Brazil and its ceiling and floor effects. METHODS: Sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric data were collected from 126 older adults. Participants completed the Mini-mental state examination followed by the FGA-Brazil, Berg balance scale (BBS), gait speed, and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International. Six months later, the participants were interviewed by telephone about their fall history. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the structural validity. We also determined the construct validity of the FGA-Brazil, using hypothesis testing, by investigating the differences between groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Criterion validity was determined using the Spearman correlation between the FGA-Brazil and the other balance and gait measures, and using the Receiver Operator Characteristic curve. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 69.3 ±â€¯7.4 years, and 84 (69.4%) were female. Factor analysis resulted in two factors explaining 53.3% of the total variance. Moderate and high significant correlations were found between the FGA-Brazil and gait speed (r = 0.65) and BBS (r = 0.80). A significant difference in the FGA-Brazil median score between older adults with low and high concern about falls was observed. The cutoff score recommended for predicting falls was 22 or less. No ceiling and floor effects were observed. CONCLUSION: We recommend the FGA-Brazil to determine the risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults.

Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis Show an Altered Flexion/Relaxation Phenomenon.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic rheumatic disease characterized by the presence of inflammatory back pain. In patients with chronic low back pain, the lumbar flexion relaxation phenomenon measured by surface electromyography (sEMG) differs from that in healthy individuals. However, sEMG activity in axSpA patients has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to analyze the flexion relaxation phenomenon in axSpA patients. A study evaluating 39 axSpA patients and 35 healthy controls was conducted. sEMG activity at the erector spinae muscles was measured during lumbar full flexion movements. sEMG activity was compared between axSpA patients and the controls, as well as between active (BASDAI ≥ 4) and non-active (BASDAI < 4) patients. The reliability (using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC)), criterion validity and discriminant validity using the area Under the curve (AUC) for the inverse flexion/relaxation ratio (1/FRR) were evaluated. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between axSpA patients and the control group in lumbar electric activity, especially during flexion, relaxation, and extension and in FRR and 1/FRR (0.66 ± 0.39 vs. 0.25 ± 0.19, respectively). In addition, significant differences were found between active and non-active but also between non-active and healthy subjects. The sEMG showed good reliability (ICC > 0.8 for 1/FRR) and criterion validity. ROC analysis showed good discriminant validity for axSpA patients (AUC = 0.835) vs. the control group using 1/FRR. An abnormal flexion/relaxation phenomenon exists in axSpA patients compared with controls. sEMG could be an additional objective tool in the evaluation of patient function and disease activity status.