Technological Tools for Observational Evaluation - the Experience with the Software for Functional Evaluation Scale for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – A Pilot Study Software for Observational Evaluation

Abstract

Systematic observation is an indispensable tool in clinical neurology evaluation, but data organization and record are extensive and time-consuming, requiring method and training. Reliable scales facilitate this task and technology can be decisive in the implementation of observational data routines. In this study, we aimed to show the experience of a software development to Albuquerque et al.; BJMMR, 16(11): 1-7, 2016; Article no.BJMMR.27482 2 optimize the application of a clinical observational scale. For this proposal it was necessary to consider the needs of the target population, text and image storing and reports generation, using computers with basic configuration, questionnaires and the measurement of time. The software allowed significant reduction in evaluation time and favored the cost-benefit of the task. The proposed methodology was adequate for this type of study. Original Research Article

Sensitivity to change and responsiveness of lowering to the ground and rising from the ground evaluation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: one-year longitudinal observation

“…Previous studies showed inter-and intra-observer reliability of compensatory movements scoring. 5,14,17,20,21 The domain lowering to the ground and rising from the ground showed excellent intra and inter reliability. 17 The maximum score of lowering to the ground is 10 and the maximum score of rising from the ground is 15.…”

“…Reliability involves test-retest, inter-rater and intra-rater measures, internal consistency, and measurement error, that were previously described for FES-DMD. 5,14,17,20,21 Responsiveness, which is approached in the present study, refers to the ability of an outcome measure to detect change over time in the construct to be measured. It refers to the validity of a change score, and it is distinguished from validity in the taxonomy for reasons of clarity.…”

“…Functional assessment is essential to describe DMD progression, which can be measured by scales with determined sensitivity to change and responsiveness. [10][11][12][13][14] Sensitivity to change and responsiveness analyses specify reassessment time intervals [10][11][12][13] and indicate the magnitude of the changes related to natural progression [15] or treatment. 16 The sensitivity to change and the responsiveness of the Motor Function Measure (MFM), 12 the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) 7, and questionnaire ACTIVLIM 11 have been described.…”

Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: 1-Year Locomotor Changes in Relation to a Control Group

“…The examiner completed an assessment chart about compensatory movements in FES-DMD-DATA. After that, the software automatically provided the total and partial scores and generated a brief report with all scores (Albuquerque, Caromano, Voos, Favero, & Farcic, 2016). The total score was the sum of the scores of all domains of the activity.…”