Open AccessMeasuring functional ability in chronic arthritis. a critical review
Author(s) -
H Liang Matthew,
M Jette Alan
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780240113
Subject(s) - reliability (semiconductor) , medicine , validity , reliability engineering , computer science , medical physics , psychometrics , clinical psychology , engineering , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics
Functional assessment instruments used in rheumatology are critically evaluated against five basic criteria: whether they allow for quantification, whether they have been tested for reliability, validity, and precision, and whether the data collection procedures are specified. No one instrument completely fulfills all criteria. Few adequately address the issues of measurement reliability and validity; none have sufficient measurement precision to detect subtle but clinically significant changes in function. Issues to be addressed in future research are discussed.