|
Abstract
|
OBJECTIVE: Determine test-retest reliability of the Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (NRS), a measure to classify lower extremities and trunk recovery of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to typical, pre-injury performance of functional tasks without use of external and behavioral compensation.
DESIGN: Multi-center observational study. SETTING: Five out-patient rehabilitation clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen physical therapists trained and competent in conducting NRS. INTERVENTIONS: No intervention was delivered. Therapists rated 69 out-patients with SCI using the NRS. Testing occurred on two days, separated by 24 to 48 hours, on the same patient by the same therapist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spearman rank correlation coefficients to compare NRS results. The NRS scores motor performance based on normal, pre-injury function on 11 items: 4 treadmill-based items (standing and stepping), 7 overground/mat items (Sitting, Sit-up, Reverse Sit-up, Trunk Extension, Sit-to-Stand, Standing, and Walking).
RESULTS: Test-retest reliability was very strong for the NRS items. Ten of the 11 items exhibited Spearman correlation coefficients of 0.92 and greater, and lower bounds of the 95% confidence intervals for these items met or exceeded 0.83. The exception was stand re-training (0.84, [0.68, 0.96]. The test-retest reliability of the measurement model-derived summary score was very strong (0.99 [0.96, 0.99].
CONCLUSIONS: The NRS had excellent test-retest reliability when conducted by trained therapists in adults with chronic SCI across all levels of injury severity. All raters had undergone standardized training in use of the NRS. The minimal requirement of training to achieve test-retest reliability has not been established.
Language: en |