Using compensations to assess physical performance for ambulatory outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
To construct a physical performance scale for community-dwelling ambulatory outpatients that is linear, includes high functioning tasks, and uses common compensations to assess difficulty levels.


METHODS
Calibrated subject performances on 19 tasks were rated by an examiner, timed, and had compensations recorded.


METHODS
Ambulatory outpatient physical therapy (PT) department of a tertiary care center.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 50 community-dwelling patients with difficulties in mobility referred for PT.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The Community Ambulatory Physical Performance Scale (CAPPS) constructed by using Rasch analysis, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and the six-minute walk test (6MWT).


RESULTS
The CAPPS showed construct validity after removal of 3 items. Two additional items were removed for improved clinical utility. The person reliability was .89 and item reliability was .98. Subjects' performance on the CAPPS correlated with the 6MWT (r=.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], .65-.87) and with the LEFS (r=.62; 95% CI, .40-.78).


CONCLUSIONS
The CAPPS showed good psychometric properties and has utility for assessments of higher-level physical functioning. This standardized approach to performance testing for ambulatory outpatients appears to be a promising method for articulating the compensations persons use to accomplish common tasks. Use of compensatory strategies to assess difficulties in physical performance may assist in delineating interventions directed toward improving task performance.
White
Louise J
LJ
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinios, Chicago, IL, USA.
Straube
Donald
D
Keehn
Mary T
MT
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015982:Bias; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome