Conclusions There is considerable variability in the type of measures utilized to measure physical impairments and limitations in survivors of critical illness .
Purpose To identify measures used to evaluate the broad constructs of functional impairment and limitations in the critically ill across the continuum of recovery , and to evaluate , synthesis e and compare the clinimetric properties of the measures identified .
The Physical Function Intensive Care Test: Implementation in Survivors of Critical Illness
Background Recent studies have demonstrated safety , feasibility , and decreased hospital length of stay for patients with weakness acquired in the intensive care unit ( ICU ) who receive early physical rehabilitation . The scored Physical Function in Intensive Care Test ( PFIT-s ) was specifically design ed for this population and demonstrated excellent psychometrics in an Australian ICU population . Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the responsiveness and predictive capabilities of the PFIT-s in patients in the United States admitted to the ICU who required mechanical ventilation ( MV ) for 4 days or longer . Methods This nested study within a r and omized trial administered the PFIT-s ,  Medical Research Council ( MRC ) sum score  , and grip strength test at ICU recruitment and then weekly until hospital discharge , including at ICU discharge . Spearman rho was used to determine validity . The effect size index was used to calculate measurement responsiveness for the PFIT-s . The receiver operating characteristic curve was used in predicting participants ' ability to perform functional components of the PFIT-s . Results From August 2009 to July 2012 , 51 patients were recruited from 4 ICUs in the Denver , Colorado , metro area . At ICU discharge , PFIT-s scores were highly correlated to MRC sum scores ( rho=.923 ) and grip strength ( rho=.763 ) ( P<.0005 ) . Using baseline test with ICU discharge ( 26 pairs ) , test responsiveness was large ( 1.14 ) . At ICU discharge , an MRC sum score cut-point of 41.5 predicted participants ' ability to perform the st and ing components of the PFIT-s . Limitations The small sample size was a limitation . However , the findings are consistent with those in a larger sample from Australia . Conclusions The PFIT-s is a feasible and valid measure of function for individuals who require MV for 4 days or longer and who are alert , able to follow comm and s , and have sufficient strength to participate
Conclusions There is considerable variability in the type of measures utilized to measure physical impairments and limitations in survivors of critical illness .
Purpose To identify measures used to evaluate the broad constructs of functional impairment and limitations in the critically ill across the continuum of recovery , and to evaluate , synthesis e and compare the clinimetric properties of the measures identified .