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A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 6, 2015
Goal attainment scaling in the rehabilitation of patients with lower-extremity amputations: a pilot study
Paula W Rushton1, William C Miller
1School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont, Canada. pwrushton@hotmail.com
Objective:
To assess the interrater reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness of Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) among patients who have had lower-extremity amputations.
Design:
Pilot study comparing GAS with 2 functional measures with established reliability, validity, and responsiveness values.
Setting:
Regional amputee program in southwestern Ontario.
Participants:
Ten patients (6 women, 4 men; mean age +/- standard deviation, 72.3+/-10.7 y) with unilateral lower-extremity amputations who were consecutively admitted to a regional amputee program. The ratio of transtibial to transfemoral amputations was 6:4.
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
Subjects were assessed by using GAS, the Barthel Index, and the Locomotor Capabilities Index (LCI) of the Prosthetic Profile of the Amputee.
Results:
The interrater reliability of GAS was r=.67, and 63% of goals developed were identified independently by both investigators. The construct validity between GAS and the Barthel Index and the LCI was r=.44 and r=.35, respectively. GAS was more responsive than both the Barthel Index and the LCI, as indicated by the calculation of effect sizes and relative efficiencies.
Conclusion:
This pilot study suggests that GAS is a promising outcome measure for the rehabilitation of patients with lower-extremity amputations.
