Abstract
Objective
To identify a set of clinically useful outcome measures for assessment of adults receiving
treatment for spasticity.
Design
A modified Delphi process was conducted. In round 1, key areas of spasticity assessment
and associated outcome measures were identified. In round 2, participants were presented
with reviews of eligible outcome measures and were asked to select the tool they believed
to be the “best” in each area. Consensus was achieved if there was at least 70% agreement
among participants. In round 3, participants rated measures based on feasibility,
ability to capture change, and usefulness of information gained for areas where consensus
was not achieved in round 2.
Setting
The Modified Delphi process was conducted online using survey software.
Participants
Clinicians (N=32) from centers across Canada participated in this study.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Not applicable.
Results
Of 51 tools identified initially, 8 were selected. Tools related to body structure
and function included the visual analog scale, manual muscle testing, Penn Spasm Frequency
Scale, and goniometry. Activity level measures included the Berg Balance Scale, Goal
Attainment Scaling (GAS), and the FIM. The Modified Caregiver Strain Index was selected
for the assessment of caregiver burden, while GAS was selected for participation level
outcomes.
Conclusions
A standardized set of outcome measures will assist with better documentation and standardization
of assessment practices of clinicians who manage spasticity.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
AS (Ashworth Scale), BBS (Berg Balance Scale), GAS (Goal Attainment Scaling), ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health), MAS (Modified Ashworth Scale), PSFS (Penn Spasm Frequency Scale), VAS (visual analog scale)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 17, 2014
Footnotes
Supported by Allergan, Inc, and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Ontario.
Disclosures: R.T. reports grants from Allergan, Inc, during the conduct of the study. T.M. reports grants and personal fees (honoraria) from Allergan, Inc, during the conduct of the study. The other authors have nothing to disclose.
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
