Marianne Beninato1, Arlene Fernandes2, Laura S Plummer3. 1. M. Beninato, PT, DPT, PhD, Graduate Programs in Physical Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions, 36 1st Ave, CNY, Boston, MA 02129 (USA). mbeninato@mghihp.edu. 2. A. Fernandes, PT, MS, Physical Therapy, Brookline Healthcare Center, Brookline, Massachusetts. 3. L.S. Plummer, PT, DPT, MS, NCS, Physical Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is commonly used to measure walking balance. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has yet to be determined for the FGA. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to determine: (1) the MCID in the FGA for older community-dwelling adults relative to patients' and physical therapists' estimates of change and (2) the extent of agreement between patients' and physical therapists' estimates of change. DESIGN: This study was a prospective case series. METHODS: Patients and physical therapists rated the amount of change in balance while walking after an episode of physical therapy for balance retraining on a 15-point global rating of change (GROC) scale. Weighted kappa statistics were calculated to express agreement between patients' and physical therapists' GROC ratings. Functional Gait Assessment change scores were plotted on receiver operating characteristic curves. A cutoff of +3 on the GROC was the criterion used for important change. The optimal FGA change cutoff score for MCID was determined, and sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), and likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five community-dwelling older adults (average age=78.8 years) and 14 physical therapists participated. There was poor agreement between the patients' and therapists' ratings of change (weighted kappa=.163). The estimated MCID value for the FGA using physical therapists' ratings of change as an anchor was 4 points (SN=0.66, SP=0.84, LR+=4.07, LR-=0.40). No accurate value for the FGA MCID could be determined based on the patients' ratings of change. LIMITATIONS: The small sample size was a limitation. CONCLUSION: Poor agreement between therapists' and patients' ratings indicate the need for further communication relative to patient goals. The 4-point MCID value for the FGA can be used for goal setting, tracking patient progress, and program evaluation.
BACKGROUND: The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is commonly used to measure walking balance. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has yet to be determined for the FGA. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to determine: (1) the MCID in the FGA for older community-dwelling adults relative to patients' and physical therapists' estimates of change and (2) the extent of agreement between patients' and physical therapists' estimates of change. DESIGN: This study was a prospective case series. METHODS:Patients and physical therapists rated the amount of change in balance while walking after an episode of physical therapy for balance retraining on a 15-point global rating of change (GROC) scale. Weighted kappa statistics were calculated to express agreement between patients' and physical therapists' GROC ratings. Functional Gait Assessment change scores were plotted on receiver operating characteristic curves. A cutoff of +3 on the GROC was the criterion used for important change. The optimal FGA change cutoff score for MCID was determined, and sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), and likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five community-dwelling older adults (average age=78.8 years) and 14 physical therapists participated. There was poor agreement between the patients' and therapists' ratings of change (weighted kappa=.163). The estimated MCID value for the FGA using physical therapists' ratings of change as an anchor was 4 points (SN=0.66, SP=0.84, LR+=4.07, LR-=0.40). No accurate value for the FGA MCID could be determined based on the patients' ratings of change. LIMITATIONS: The small sample size was a limitation. CONCLUSION: Poor agreement between therapists' and patients' ratings indicate the need for further communication relative to patient goals. The 4-point MCID value for the FGA can be used for goal setting, tracking patient progress, and program evaluation.
Authors: Rebecca S Crow; Matthew C Lohman; Dawna Pidgeon; Martha L Bruce; Stephen J Bartels; John A Batsis Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2018-02-10 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Katherine L Marks; Alessandra Verdi; Laura E Toles; Kaila L Stipancic; Andrew J Ortiz; Robert E Hillman; Daryush D Mehta Journal: Am J Speech Lang Pathol Date: 2021-10-19 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: M J Boyce; A B McCambridge; L V Bradnam; C G Canning; N Mahant; F C F Chang; V S C Fung; A P Verhagen Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2021-07-31 Impact factor: 3.575
Authors: Gisele Cristine Vieira Gomes; Jéssica Maria Ribeiro Bacha; Maria do Socorro Simões; Sumika Mori Lin; Larissa Alamino Pereira Viveiro; Eliana Maria Varise; Wilson Jacob Filho; José Eduardo Pompeu Journal: Pilot Feasibility Stud Date: 2017-10-24