SPINAL CORD INJURY EDGE PROCESS

• Measures considered for selection for review were compiled from, measures recommended by the Academy's SCI Special Interest Group, measures in the Rehabilitation Measures Database, those that were included in the Entry-level Neurologic Content Guidelines, as well as a literature review related to outcome measures in SCI.
• The taskforce included outcome measures representing all levels of the ICF, body structure/function, activity, and participation.  Both self report measures and performance measures were included.
• A pair of task force members completed initial review of each measure.  The psychometric properties of the measures were reviewed using a modified EDGE (Evidence Database to Guide Effectiveness) template (a format recommended by the APTA EDGE task force).  The taskforce also considered clinical utility of a measure.
• Additionally, we collaborated with The Rehabilitation Measures Database (RMD).  As task force members reviewed an outcome measure, we also reviewed the existing RMD summary.  If a RMD summary did not exist, we created one. EDGE documents and RMD documents are designed to be used together.  EDGE documents provide the recommendation with supporting comments and the complete details of the measure are on the RMD, which will continue to be updated by RMD.
• Recommendations for use of an outcome measure were rated on a 4 point ordinal scale

4= highly recommended; the outcome measure has excellent psychometric properties and clinical utility

3= recommended; the outcome measure has good psychometric properties and good clinical utility

2= reasonable to use, but limited study in target group; the outcome measure has good or excellent psychometric properties and clinical utility in a related population, but insufficient study in target population to support higher recommendation. *

1= do not recommend; the outcome measure has poor psychometric properties and/or poor clinical utility

*Please note the difference in this rating definition as compared to earlier EDGE task forces (MS and Stroke)

A modified Delphi process was used by the entire task force to reach a consensus regarding the final recommendations.

Recommendations for use of each outcome measure reviewed were categorized by acuity level: acute (0-3mo), subacute (3-6mo), and chronic (>6mo), and ASIA Impairment Scale (motor complete and motor incomplete).  The task force also made recommendations related to entry-level PT education.  Measures were characterized as those that students should learn to administer, should be exposed to, or are not recommended in entry-level PT education. Finally, measures were categorized as being appropriate for research purposes on a yes/no basis.

Spinal Cord Injury EDGE Task Force Outcome Measures Recommendations (Complete)

SCI EDGE alphabetical list summary

SCI EDGE entry level recs 1 page

SCI EDGE_acute SCI recs (1)

SCI EDGE_sub acute SCI recs

SCI EDGE_chronic SCI recs

SCI EDGE_motor complete

SCI EDGE_motor incomplete

SCI EDGE ratings by construct summary

SCI EDGE research recs 1 page

SCI EDGE Members:

• Jennifer Kahn, PT, DPT*, Northwestern University, Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Chicago, IL (Chair)
• Christopher Newman, PT, MPT*, TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX
• Phyllis Palma, PT, DPT, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
• Wendy Romney, PT, DPT* ,Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT
• Rachel Tappan, PT* Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Candy Tefertiller, PT, DPT, ATP*, Craig Hospital, Denver, CO
• Eileen Tseng, PT, DPT* , TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX
• Cara Leone Weisbach, PT, DPT, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA

*All the Physical Therapists above are Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists.