Minimally important change and smallest detectable change of the OSTRC questionnaire in half‐ and full‐marathon runners

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the smallest detectable change (SDC), minimally important change (MIC), and factor structure of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) questionnaire severity score in half‐ and full‐marathon runners. Data came from a prospective cohort study, the SUcces Measurement and Monitoring Utrecht Marathon (SUMMUM) 2017 study. Two external anchors, the global rating of change (GRC) and global rating of limitations (GRL), were used to classify the running‐related injuries (RRI) as truly improved, unchanged, or truly worsened. SDC values were calculated at individual and group levels. MIC values were calculated using the visual anchor‐based MIC distribution and mean change methods. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to study the a priori hypothesized factor structure. A total of 132 runners who reported the same RRI on two occasions 2 weeks apart were included in the analysis. SDC values at individual and group levels were ≤35.06 and ≤9.30, respectively. With the visual anchor‐based MIC distribution method, the MIC values for RRIs that truly improved according to the GRC and GRL anchors were 13.50 and 18.50, respectively. With the mean change method, the MIC values for RRIs that truly improved according to the GRC and GRL anchors were 15.49 and 45.38, respectively. The CFA confirmed that the OSTRC was a unidimensional questionnaire. The change score of the OSTRC severity score can be used to distinguish between important change and measurement error at a group level using the MIC value 18.50. Because the SDC of the OSTRC severity score was larger than the MIC, it is not advised to use the MIC at an individual level.

Foot and Lower Limb Clinical and Structural Changes in Overuse Injured Recreational Runners Using Floating Heel Shoes: Preliminary Results of a Randomised Control Trial

“…In relation to OSTRC-O values, we would like to highlight that our results showed a high effect size (r = 0.8). The minimally important change of the OSTRC-O severity score, that is, the smallest change score which is truly important to the runner, is estimated to be 18.5 for injured (half) marathon runners [ 47 ]. In the current study, the participants from the FHSG showed OSTRC-O scores exceeding the minimally important change, both in the between-group comparison (20.5) and the within-group comparison (26.5).…”

Responsiveness of the Various Short-Form Versions of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Between 2 and 5 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…3 As these calculations require a stable sample (ie, no change in knee function), data from the stable knee function group were used. 7…”

“…3 As these calculations require a stable sample (ie, no change in knee function), data from the stable knee function group were used. 7 To determine the minimally important change (MIC) associated with an improvement in knee function, an anchor-based method with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used. 28 The stable and improved knee function groups were used for this analysis.…”

Prevalence of self-reported lower limb overuse problems in highly trained track and field athletes during 12 weeks of pre-season training

“…weekly) with primary outcome measures based on the prevalence of subjectively reported overuse problems compared to injury incidences as used in traditional systems. Additionally, the change score of the OSTRC severity score can be used to monitor changes and measurement errors at different athletic group levels [17] The purpose of this study was to record the extent of overuse problems in highly trained track and field athletes during the 12 weeks of their preparation for the Estonian National Championship and the European Athletics Champion ship competitions.…”