The use of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale to measure rehabilitative progress in a physiotherapy setting

Objective: The Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) are two measures which the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) of New Zealand have made compulsory for physiotherapists to record at a patients initial visit and discharge. Therefore, it is important to assess clinicians' compliance to this reporting requirement, and whether research results regarding effectiveness of these measures are transferable to the clinic. Method: A retrospective observational study that assessed compliance in recording these measures, and analyzed the changes in scores seen across 11 physiotherapy practices in New Zealand over a 12-month period. Results: Overall compliance rates of 51·8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 50·7-52·9] for PSFS and 51·9% (95% CI: 50·7-53·0) for NPRS were reported. These figures increase to 85·3% (95% CI: 82·0-88·6) PSFS; and 85·1% (95% CI: 81·7-88·4) NPRS, when a full discharge for the patient was made. Mean change in PSFS scores were 5·1 (95% CI: 5·0-5·1) points representing an 85·2% (95% CI: 84·1-86·3) change in total score. Discussion: The study has shown that when patients complete a prescribed course of rehabilitation, clinicians show good compliance in recording PSFS and NPRS. Change in PSFS score is, on average, above the minimal clinically important difference shown in previous studies.