Outcome measures are fundamental to clinical practice in assessing the effectiveness of an intervention and demonstrating an evidence-based practice approach. They are for the professional to gauge the success of an intervention and for the individual accessing the service to demonstrate meaningful change. 

 

At Sport for Confidence several different outcome measures have been used with varying individuals and groups, to monitor functional ability and overall well-being. 

 

 

The individual is timed standing up from a chair without using their arms, walking 3 metres, then turning around, returning to the chair then sitting down. Walking aids can be used. Scores from between 12-15 seconds or more tend to indicate a higher risk of falls. 

 

 

A series of questions to be completed either by the individual or HCP/assessor. Questions relate to how concerned the individual is about the possibility of falling in a variety of activities (on a scale 1-4). Scoring ranges from a minimum of 16 (no concern) to a maximum of 64 (severe concern). 

 

 

A series of 9 questions measuring fatigue and how it impacts on the individual. Each question is rated from 1(strongly agree) to 7 (strongly disagree) and scores range from 9 – 63. 

 

 

The questionnaire consists of 6 questions relating to five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The score from the first 5 questions create a 5 digit answer, by placing the numbers next to each other (not adding them together). This measures health related quality of life. 

 

 

Consisting of 14 questions and designed as a measure of mental health well-being. Each question rated on a scale of 1-5. Total score ranges from 14-17. 

 

 

 

However, these are merely considerations, it is for the professional to ultimately use their own clinical reasoning to assess whether an outcome measure is appropriate and of use to their particular setting/client group (RCOT, 2020). 

 

As a guide, representatives from a cross disciplinary group of Allied Health Professional (AHP’s), including the Royal College of Occupational Therapists have created a checklist for AHP’s to help support and guide decision making when choosing appropriate outcome measures . 

To see the check list follow click here