Abstract
Background The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and represents the typical spectrum of problems in the functioning of people with MS.
Objectives The objective of this study was to validate the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for MS from the perspective of physical therapists.
Design A 3-round survey based on the Delphi technique was used.
Methods Physical therapists experienced in the management of MS were asked about problems and resources of people with MS as well as environmental aspects treated by physical therapists (eg, use of assistive devices, support). Statements were linked to the ICF and compared with the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for MS.
Results Eighty physical therapists from 23 countries mentioned 2,133 issues that covered all of the ICF components. Two hundred thirty-eight ICF categories were linked to the statements. Forty-six categories in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for MS were confirmed by physical therapists at the same level or a more specific level of classification. Nineteen additional ICF categories were reported by at least 75% of the participants.
Conclusions The results of this study support the content and face validity of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for MS. Areas of functioning and health that physical therapists believe should be assessed were identified. The findings of this study as well as the results of completed and ongoing validation studies will further elucidate the validity of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for MS from different perspectives.
Footnotes
-
Dr Coenen and Dr Cieza provided concept/idea/research design. Ms Conrad, Dr Coenen, and Dr Cieza provided writing. Ms Conrad and Ms Schmalz provided data collection and data analysis. Dr Coenen and Dr Kesselring provided project management. Dr Kesselring provided fund procurement, facilities/equipment, and institutional liaisons. Ms Conrad provided participants. Ms Conrad, Dr Coenen, and Dr Kesselring provided consultation (including review of manuscript before submission).
-
The authors thank all experts who participated in this study; these experts spent considerable time and effort and thus made the results possible: Kadriye Armutlu, Steve Ashford, Yvonne Bastmeijer-Blonk, Heidi Bedford, Susana Boglio, Diana Browne, Katrina Buchanan, Toni Chiara, Ingrid Claesson, Karol Connors, Susan Coote, Bridget Dickson, Ulrika Einarsson, Alison Elston, Ayla Fil, Anne Margrethe Fladmark, Maureen Forward, Neera Garga, Jane Gates, Kirsten Gollan, Daniela Görlitz, Leigh Hale, Amy Harrison, Antonia Henkel, Arja Henning, Martin Hennseler, Wendy Henry, Robert Johnston, Margareta Jonsson, Catherine Korte, Jham Kusum, Jane Lough, Julie Louie, Gaizka Loyola, Susie MacAllister, Ethirajulu Mahalakshmi, Emer Maher, Mandy McCulloch, Jennifer McKune, Linda Miller, Oscar Muncunill Morales, Ylva Nilsagard, Jaana Paltamaa, Jane Petty, Jane Priest, Pat Provance, Malin Rasten, Kerstin Rethemeier, Marc Rietberg, Rachele Rodoni Wetzel, Anders Romberg, Marianne Sandstrom, Karen Sayers, Corina Schuster, Michelle Shannon, Radhika Sharma, Merje Siiro, Christine Singleton, Stacey Sjoquist, Catherine Smith, Karen Smith, Jessie Snowdon, Regula Steinlin Egli, Fernanda Teixeira, Jenny Thain, Nanco van der Maas, Barbara van Marle, Tommy Vikman, Heike Wittenberg, Cheuk-wai Woo, and Sandra Zimmermann.
-
This study was part of the project “Development of ICF Core Sets for MS” and was funded by the Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung (1.01.1/06/008).
-
The responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the ICF Research Branch.
- Received February 22, 2011.
- Accepted February 27, 2012.
- © 2012 American Physical Therapy Association
Issue highlights
