Outcome Measures for Persons With Acute Stroke : A Survey of Physical Therapists Practicing in Acute Care and Acute Rehabilitation Settings

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine (1) which outcome measures (OMs) are used for persons with acute stroke; (2) perceptions about OM use; and (3) the agreement between OM use and StrokEDGE recommendations. Methods: A total of 135 physical therapists completed an online survey sent via invitation through e-mail to members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) acute care and neurology listservs. The survey examined specific OM use, influences, and clinical application. Results were compared with StrokEDGE taskforce OM recommendations developed by a systematic review of OMs for persons with stroke described by clinical setting. Results: The majority of respondents (78%) reported that comfort, evidence, resources, and time influence OM use and that they use OMs to diagnose, develop care plans, select interventions, and make discharge recommendations. Respondents use OMs that capture balance and gait most frequently (59%). Outcome measures that examine muscle tone, although not highly recommended by StrokEDGE, are frequently used. Therapists use OMs that examine motor recovery infrequently, despite the high recommendation from StrokEDGE. Respondents in acute rehabilitation and those with more advanced terminal degrees are more likely to use OMs recommended by StrokEDGE. StrokEDGE recommended OM used was not significantly associated with years of practice, APTA membership, or specialist certification. Conclusions: Comfort, evidence, resources, and time influence OM use by physical therapists for persons with stroke. Use of StrokEDGE highly recommended OMs is associated with practice setting, but not with years of practice, APTA membership, or specialist certification.