Selection of clinical outcome measures in rehabilitation of people with movement disorders: Theory and practice

Individuals with movement disorders often present with progressive or fluctuating symptoms that vary over time. Clinical teams who work with these individuals aim to minimize the impact of associated impairments and to optimize everyday activity, participation, and quality of life. Due to the varied and complex needs of people with a movement disorder, specialist clinical teams are often established to provide patient-centered care tailored to the individual. These clinicians are often in contact with the person over a long period of time and are well positioned to monitor change in order to address the changing needs of the individual across the lifespan and disease course. Assessment typically includes the use of standardized instruments to measure a person’s symptoms or signs, and ability to perform activities such as mobility, personal care, and social participation. The measurement instruments used to measure change in a person’s ability over time, or in response to interventions, are commonly referred to as outcome measures [1]. Outcome measurements have an essential role to play in the provision of optimal care to people with a movement disorder. This chapter aims to provide an overview of some of the factors that clinicians can consider prior to selecting outcome measures for people with movement disorders. Appropriate outcome assessment in clinical practice is a core component of both multidisciplinary and discipline-specific evidence-based practice, with the use of standardized outcome measures widely recommended by many professional associations. The rapid expansion in the number of available tools has provided clinicians with greater opportunities but also larger challenges in selecting the most suitable outcome tools that match their aims and client group. Careful and thoughtful consideration is important in the selection of outcome measurements as they can be both time-consuming and resource-intensive.