Selecting, Administering, and Interpreting Outcome Measures among Adults with Lower-Limb Loss: An Update for Clinicians.

Objective: To summarize outcome measurement research among adults with lower-limb loss (LLL) for clinicians.

Results: Houghton Scale, Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire-mobility subscale (PEQ-m), Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M™), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP), Comprehensive High-Level Activity Mobility Predictor, Four Square Step Test (FSST), Narrowing Beam Walking Test (NBWT), L Test, 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) are appropriate for evaluating individual patient changes post-LLL. Post-LLL, Socket Comfort Score, Patient-Specific Functional Scale, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29-Item Profile, Timed Up and Go, and 2 Minute Walk Test may be more appropriate for evaluating groups. Minimal detectable change is available for 15/20 reviewed measures. Many measures differ between mobility levels.

Conclusions: Quick, reliable measures for evaluating patient functional change include ABC, PEQ-m, PLUS-M™, FSST, and L Test; when resources allow, NBWT, 10MWT, 6WMT and AMP may be considered.