Performance-based outcome measures used by physical therapists and their measurement properties following a total knee Arthroplasty: A systematic review.

Objective(s): The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate which performance-based outcome measurements (PBOM) are frequently used by physical therapist (PT) in the literature and what their measurement properties are.

Data Sources: A comprehensive literature search of randomized controlled trials published between 2012 and 2022 was conducted using four different electronic databases including PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, and Medline. The search terms used included: PT, TKA, and functional outcome measures.

Study Selection: Articles were included if they were RCT between years 2012-2022, written in English, and measured PBOM related to the TKA population. Articles were excluded if they did not contain three of nine pre-established research properties, only abstracts were available, full text article was unavailable, patient didn't undergo TKA, the study scored less than a six on the PEDro scale, and no PBOM were reported.

Data Extraction: Two reviewers performed analyzed studies that met the inclusion and exclusion requirements. Duplicate articles were removed. Discrepancies were resolved with discussion between the reviewers. PBOM that were used by PT were identified in each article included.

Data Synthesis: There were 149 studies reviewed and thirteen studies were included. The PEDro Scale scores average was 7.8308 ±0.436. The most frequently utilized PBOM in the thirteen studies reviewed included the Timed Up and Go (TUG) (69.2%), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) (46.15%), and the Stair Climb Test (SCT) (31.7%). All three frequently used PBOM have good to excellent test retest reliability (ICC > or =0.75). Both the TUG and SCT had high interrater reliability (ICC >.90). Ten of the eleven PBOM have good to excellent measurement properties except the Single Leg Stance (SLS) test with a moderate test retest reliability (ICC=0.72).

Conclusions: In the search to identify the most appropriate PBOM for the TKA population, we found that the literature is lacking in data for measurement properties specific to the TKA population. This review found that more specific data needs to be
researched for the TKA population, especially due to the prevalence of this surgery.

Author(s) Disclosures: No conflicts of interest.