Development of a framework for the evidence-based choice of outcomemeasures in neurological physiotherapy

Background. Neurological physiotherapists recognize the need to include standardized outcome measures (OMs) in clinicalpractice but lack of information about the OMs available hampers utilization. This paper reports on the first stage of a projectto identify the most robust OMs for use in neurological physiotherapy.Objective. To identify what physiotherapists perceive that they need to measure during a neurological assessment.Methods. Three separate workshops were held using patient vignettes to represent the acute, rehabilitation and communitysettings. Thirty senior neurological physiotherapists participated and were asked: ‘What would you observe, test or measureif assessing this patient?’ Data were analysed using thematic content analysis performed independently by each of theauthors. Internal and external member checking ensured validity. In addition, the authors produced definitions of the itemsand domains identified in the data collection and subsequent content analysis.Results. Items from the data collection were classified into 16 domains that physiotherapists need to measure: Weakness;range of movement/contracture; pain; muscle tone/spasticity; sensation; ataxia/co-ordination; personal fatigue; oedema;subluxation; postural and balance impairment; walking impairment; upper limb; balance disability; walking disability;mobility disability and falls.Conclusions. The domains that physiotherapists need to measure during clinical assessment were identified. In the secondstage of the project these domains will inform systematic reviews to identify the most robust outcome measures for use inclinical practice