title: Activity rating scales in adult muscle disease: how well do they actually measure?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In an accompanying study we reported on the content of several activity rating scales that have been used for muscle disease. To further aid in achieving consensus we conducted a systematic review to assess the quality of the 19 activity rating scales designed specifically for muscle disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the measurement properties and the feasibility of the 19 instruments. Several databases were searched for studies relating to the quality of the instruments under review. Two independent reviewers selected studies and assessed instrument quality using pre-agreed criteria based on published frameworks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that none of the 19 instruments have sufficiently comprehensive reporting of measurement or feasibility performance as would be required by regulatory authorities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further work is required urgently to address these deficiencies of reporting or acquiring additional data. Until then, there will remain a major barrier for translational research to overcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Seedat
authors.forename: Meredith K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: functional rating scales; muscle disease; outcome measures; psychometric properties; systematic review