A Patient-derived Constant-Murley Score is Comparable to a Clinician-derived Score

Abstract

Background Although there are many advantages to patient-based assessment for musculoskeletal conditions, one common problem is that many of these assessments are perceived to be subjective. To overcome this limitation for patient-based shoulder evaluation, we developed a modified Constant-Murley score that allows patients to complete subjective and objective sections of the score. Questions/purposes The purpose of our study was to assess the reliability of the new patient-based ConstantMurley score questionnaire by comparing composite scores and subscores obtained with those obtained using the standard physician-based Constant-Murley questionnaire in the same group of patients.Methods Between August and October 2000, all patients having shoulder surgery in our institute were invited to participate in this study; 58 of 61 (95%) opted to do so and completed the patient-based questionnaire at preoperative and postoperative assessments. The clinician-based Constant-Murley score was performed by a clinician who was blinded to the corresponding patient-based questionnaire. Patients underwent various procedures ranging from manipulation under anesthesia and arthroscopic procedures to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Results The mean patient-based and the clinician-based Constant-Murley scores were 47 (SD = 19.5; range, 4-90; N = 108) and 48 (SD = 19.9; range, 4-90; N = 108) points respectively. The mean difference was À1.3 (SD = 3; range, À11 to 8; N = 108) points. The new patient-based Constant-Murley score questionnaire reproduced the patient-based method and had substantial to almost perfect agreement with it for the composite score and various subgroups. Conclusions These results suggest that a patient-based questionnaire can be used interchangeably with or in place of a clinician-based Constant-Murley score. These results apply to subjective and objective items of the Constant-Murley score.

Constant–Murley Score: systematic review and standardized evaluation in different shoulder pathologies

“…This evaluation was based on an article presenting a totally self-administered CMS tool. Based on a series of explicit instructions and photos, subjects are guided on how to reply the ROM and strength parts of the scale, originally designed for the clinicians [ 23 ]. The cultural adaptation attribute was not evaluated in this study.…”

Intraoperative Brief Electrical Stimulation of the Spinal Accessory Nerve (BEST SPIN) for prevention of shoulder dysfunction after oncologic neck dissection: a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial

“…Further studies are needed to target sub-groups undergoing selective or modified radical neck dissection to determine point estimates and measures of variability for the purposes of a larger Phase III study. In addition, the study was powered to detect a minimal important clinically difference (MICD) in the Constant-Murley score of 10.4 points (σ = 11) based on previous research following post-surgical rotator cuff injuries [ 12 – 15 , 28 , 29 ]. As the MICD for the Constant-Murley score following neck dissection procedures is currently not known, calculating a neck dissection-specific MICD for the Constant-Murley score is a goal of future studies.…”

Intraoperative brief electrical stimulation (BES) for prevention of shoulder dysfunction after oncologic neck dissection: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…The application of BES to a peripheral nerve following injury was initially performed by Nix and Hopf [ 26 ], in the soleus nerve of a rabbit after a crush injury. They subsequently reported accelerated recovery of twitch force, tetanic tension, and muscle action potential in the soleus muscle.…”