title: The Dougados Functional Index with the 5-point Likert scale is sensitive to change due to intensive physiotherapy and exercise in spondyloarthropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the Dougados Functional Index (DFI) with 5-point Likert scale is sensitive enough to demonstrate the efficacy of intensive physiotherapy and exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight-one consecutive patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA) completed self-administered questionnaires on functional analysis, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the DFI with 5-point Likert scale, at the beginning and end of a 3-week in-patient course based on intensive physiotherapy and exercise. The objective effect of the course was measured with 10 ranges of movement. After a 6-month follow-up the patients completed the questionnaires by mail for analysis of the lasting impact of rehabilitation on function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The in-patient course was highly effective: all ranges of movement and both functional indices including the DFI with 5-point Likert scale improved to a highly significant degree. Six months later functional ability as measured by the DFI remained significantly better than at baseline before the in-patient course, but the BASFI had returned to the baseline level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DFI with 5-point Likert scale is sensitive enough to demonstrate the effect of intensive physiotherapy and exercise.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Institute of the Finnish Rheumatism Association, Kangasala, Finland. sirpa.heikkil@kolumbus.fi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heikkilä
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome