The relationship between objective measures and self-reports of physical function in individuals with the late sequelea of poliomyelitis
Creators: name: Noonan, Vanessa
Publisher: name: University of British Columbia
Year: 2009

description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between objective measures are self-reports of physical function in individuals with the late sequelae of poliomyelitis. Physical therapists often use exercise tests to assess an individual's level of physical function, as well as to guide exercise prescription and treatment planning. However, little is known about the relationship between an objective measurement of physical function based on an exercise test and an individual's self-report of his or her physical function, which can be assessed using questionnaires on health status. We, therefore, studied the interrelationships within and between two objective measures and two self-report measures of physical function in individuals with the late sequelae of poliomyelitis. A nonexperimental research design was used to correlate the objective measures with the two self-reports of physical function. The two objective measures of physical function were the 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD) and the cardiorespiratory conditioning index (CRCI) based on a steady-rate walking test. Self-reports of physical function were assessed using the physical dimension score of the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Seventeen subjects (mean age 53.9 + 7.2) were tested over three sessions and completed a total of three 6-MWD tests, a practice session of treadmill walking, a steady-rate walking test used to derive the CRCI, one SIP, and one SF-36 health status measure. The 6-MWD was found to be significantly correlated with both the physical dimension score of the SIP (r=-0.57; p&lt;0.05) and the SF-36 (r=0.67; p&lt;0.05). Significant correlations were also observed between the CRCI and the physical dimension score of the SIP (r=-0.51; p&lt;0.05) and the SF-36 (r=0.70; p&lt;0.01). In addition, the two objective measures were significantly correlated (r=0.51; p&lt;0.05) as were the two physical dimension scores of the SIP and the SF-36 (r=-0.80; p&lt;0.01). The objective measures and health status measures selected for the present study proved to be useful in assessing individuals with the late sequelae of poliomyelitis. The use of the treadmill for the steady-rate walking test to derive the CRCI required individuals to have a high level of physical functioning. Whereas, the 6-MWD test was suitable for all of the subjects. In terms of the health status measures, the SIP portrayed the subjects as having a relatively high level of physical function. The SF-36 was observed to assess more physically demanding activities than the SIP and had a wider distribution of scores which may result in an increased sensitivity to detect change. Clinically, there is a definite role for the use of both objective measures and self-reports using health status measures. The appropriate selection and administration of both objective measures and self-reports in assessment as well as determining treatment outcomes in physical therapy are critical considerations.