Use of questionnaire-based outcomes for the measurement of activities and participation in the physiotherapy management of hip osteoarthritis: a review

Abstract

Physiotherapy is an important management option in hip osteoarthritis. Its effectiveness can be evaluated with the use of valid and reliable outcome measures in research and clinical practice. Numerous outcome measures for use in hip osteoarthritis are available and the ICF classification can be used to guide decision making to ensure that all aspects of human functioning are represented. The activity and participation components of ICF are a vital part of assessment, but are traditionally under-utilised in physiotherapy. A number of questionnaire-based outcomes that measure activity and participation can be used in clinical or research practice with hip osteoarthritis patients such as The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lequense Index of Severity, Harris Hip Score (HHS), Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS), Short Form-36 (SF-36) and European Quality of Life scale (Euroqol). These are discussed with particular reference to their psychometric properties of reliability, validity and responsiveness. To date, the WOMAC has undergone the most psychometric testing of the disease-specific measures, whilst the SF-36 is the most widely tested generic measure. Both of these measures are recommended for use in hip osteoarthritis. Further psychometric testing is required of the other measures which will enable clinicians and researchers to decide which is the most appropriate measure for use in hip osteoarthritis.

Keywords:

• OSTEOARTHRITIS
• HIP
• PHYSIOTHERAPY
• OUTCOMES
• RELIABILITY
• VALIDITY
• RESPONSIVENESS