The psychometric properties and clinical utility of measures of walking and mobility in neurological conditions: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To identify psychometrically robust and clinically feasible measures of walking and mobility in people with neurological conditions.


METHODS
MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro and AMED.


METHODS
Independent reviewers selected and extracted data from articles that assessed the reliability, validity, sensitivity to change or clinical utility of measures of walking and mobility in adult neurological conditions. Measures with 'good' psychometrics and 9/10 clinical utility scores were recommended.


RESULTS
Seventeen measures were selected. Of these, the 5-m and 10-m walk tests, six-minute walk test, High Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) and the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) reached the required standards and are usable in clinical practice. None of the recommended measures assessed wheelchair mobility. The least frequently assessed property was sensitivity to change. Further measures could be recommended if the minimal detectable change were demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
The 5-m, 10-m and six-minute walk test, High Level Mobility Assessment Tool and the Rivermead Mobility Index are psychometrically robust measures of walking and mobility and are feasible for use in clinical practice.
Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research and Physiotherapy Directorate, Frederick Road Campus, University of Salford, Salford M6 6PU, UK. s.tyson@salford.ac.uk
Sarah
S
Tyson
Louise
L
Connell
D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking