Article

The construct, predictive and longitudinal validity of the Clinical
Outcome Variables Scale (COVS), an assessment of functional mobility, was
examined in relation to measures of functional disability (Functional
Independence Measure (FIMTM)), balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)) and length of
stay in inpatient stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: Associations between admission
and discharge scores on each measure were examined retrospectively for 134
patients admitted for inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The association between
admission scores and length of stay was tested using a simple linear regression.
Paired t-tests and standardized response means were calculated to examine
longitudinal validity. RESULTS: COVS scores were correlated with FIM and BBS
scores at admission (rho = 0.823 and 0.895, respectively) and discharge (rho =
0.771 and 0.895, respectively). Admission COVS, FIM and BBS scores were
correlated with length of stay (rho = -0.61, -0.69 and -0.61, respectively; p <
0.01). A significant (p < 0.01) linear association was demonstrated between
admission scores and length of stay. All measures demonstrated significant change
over time. Standardized response means were 1.23, 1.16 and 1.36 for the COVS, BBS
and FIM, respectively. CONCLUSION: Within a subset of rehabilitation patients
with stroke, the COVS demonstrated construct, predictive and longitudinal
validity. The COVS provides a comprehensive assessment of functional mobility and
should be evaluated further for its usefulness in stroke rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS