Measurement properties of remotely or self-administered physical performance measures to assess mobility: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Background

Physical performance measures assessing mobility are important tools for assessing current functional status, predicting future functional status, and monitoring change. To respond to the increased necessity to conduct research and care remotely and self-monitor one’s health status, there is a need for reliable, valid, and responsive measures that can be self or remotely administered.

Objectives

To evaluate (i) the test procedures and population suitability of remotely or self-administered lower extremity performance measures and (ii) the measurement properties of scores for these measures.

Methods

This review will include quantitative studies with adult participants (≥ 18 years) who are living independently in the community. For the purposes of this review, mobility is defined as the ability to move by changing body position or location or transferring from one place to another as per the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Five databases; MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and Cochrane CENTRAL will be searched to identify relevant studies. Reference lists of relevant studies will be hand-searched to identify additional eligible studies. Title and abstracts screening, full text screening and data extraction will be completed independently by two reviewers. Results will be compared against COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments’ (COSMIN) criteria for measurement properties which provide a sufficient, insufficient, or indeterminate rating based on whether a previously defined hypothesis (set by research team or by COSMIN). The quality of each study will be assessed by two independent reviewers using COSMIN’s Risk of Bias tool.

Keywords:

• Measurement
• mobility
• performance measures
• self-administered
• telerehabilitation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Ashley Morgan

Ashley Morgan, MSc (PT), PhD student is a doctoral student in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University and a Registered Physiotherapist (PT). Her clinical background is primarily in orthopaedics and her research interests include mobility and cognition, exercise prescription and adherence, and the prevention of functional decline; particularly for older adults and those with chronic conditions.

Diane Bégin

Diane Bégin, MSc, PhD student is a doctoral student in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. Her research interests include fall prevention; risk, safety, and autonomy; and exercise promotion in older adults.

Jennifer Heisz

Dr. Jennifer Heisz, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University, a Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging and Associate Director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE). Dr. Heisz directs the NeuroFit Lab, which conducts research on the effects of exercise for brain health. Dr. Heisz’s research examines the effects of physical activity on brain function to promote mental health and cognition in young adults, older adults, and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ada Tang

Dr. Ada Tang, PhD is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean in the School of Rehabilitation Science and a Registered Physiotherapist (PT). Dr. Tang works with the MacStroke Canada research team to research the impact of inactivity and sedentary behaviours on mobility and health following stroke. Her research aims to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease, particularly by understanding exercise and limited mobility within the aging population.

Lehana Thabane

Dr. Lehana Thabane, PhD is a Professor of Biostatistics in Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University. Dr. Thabane is a research methodologist whose research covers a wide spectrum of areas such as clinical trials, evidence-based medicine, research ethics, systematic reviews, and conjoint analysis of patient preferences for health services.

Julie Richardson

Dr. Julie Richardson, PhD is a Professor Emeritus in Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University and a Registered Physiotherapist. Dr. Richardson’s research interests include interventions to promote mobility and lower extremity functioning in older adults, risk factor assessment for mobility decline and functioning with aging and the health transitions that older persons undergo in the process of disablement. Julie is focused on identifying persons at risk for functional decline and rehabilitation interventions to maintain their health for those with chronic illness.