title: The use of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale to measure rehabilitative progress in a physiotherapy setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) are two measures which the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) of New Zealand have made compulsory for physiotherapists to record at a patients initial visit and discharge. Therefore, it is important to assess clinicians' compliance to this reporting requirement, and whether research results regarding effectiveness of these measures are transferable to the clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective observational study that assessed compliance in recording these measures, and analyzed the changes in scores seen across 11 physiotherapy practices in New Zealand over a 12-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall compliance rates of 51·8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 50·7-52·9] for PSFS and 51·9% (95% CI: 50·7-53·0) for NPRS were reported. These figures increase to 85·3% (95% CI: 82·0-88·6) PSFS; and 85·1% (95% CI: 81·7-88·4) NPRS, when a full discharge for the patient was made. Mean change in PSFS scores were 5·1 (95% CI: 5·0-5·1) points representing an 85·2% (95% CI: 84·1-86·3) change in total score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study has shown that when patients complete a prescribed course of rehabilitation, clinicians show good compliance in recording PSFS and NPRS. Change in PSFS score is, on average, above the minimal clinically important difference shown in previous studies.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hefford
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tumilty
keywords: Compliance; Outcome measures; PSFS; Patient-Specific Functional Scale; Rehabilitation
references.citation: Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2002 Mar;14(2):109-14
references.pmid: 11845014
references.citation: Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2010 Oct;89(10):831-9
references.pmid: 20657263
references.citation: J Hand Ther. 2008 Jan-Mar;21(1):4-13; quiz 14
references.pmid: 18215746
references.citation: Man Ther. 2006 Feb;11(1):46-53
references.pmid: 15886046
references.citation: BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008 May 05;9:65
references.pmid: 18454877
references.citation: J Clin Nurs. 2005 Aug;14(7):798-804
references.pmid: 16000093
references.citation: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 Jun 1;30(11):1331-4
references.pmid: 15928561
references.citation: Spine J. 2007 Sep-Oct;7(5):541-6
references.pmid: 17448732
references.citation: Cranio. 2006 Oct;24(4):283-91
references.pmid: 17086858
references.citation: Phys Ther. 2009 Dec;89(12):1275-86
references.pmid: 19892856
references.citation: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006 Mar 1;31(5):598-602
references.pmid: 16508559
references.citation: J Man Manip Ther. 2008;16(3):129-35
references.pmid: 19119401
references.citation: Pain. 2001 Nov;94(2):149-158
references.pmid: 11690728
references.citation: J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006 Jun;36(6):364-71
references.pmid: 16776486
references.citation: J Clin Epidemiol. 2005 Aug;58(8):791-801
references.pmid: 16018914
references.citation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008 Sep;89(9):1675-85
references.pmid: 18675396
references.citation: Eur Spine J. 2010 Sep;19(9):1484-94
references.pmid: 20397032
references.citation: Pain. 2007 Sep;131(1-2):31-7
references.pmid: 17250965