A study published in the September 2016 issue of the journal Clinical Rehabilitation, describes the development and psychometric evaluation of a patient-reported single-item mobility measure. The Amputee Single Item Mobility Measure (AMPSIMM) was developed by a four-member team specializing in the rehabilitation, epidemiology, and measurement of individuals with limb loss.
This prospective cohort study included 113 patients who had undergone their first major unilateral lower-limb amputation (transmetatarsal, transtibial, or transfemoral) secondary to peripheral arterial disease or diabetes at four Veteran’s Administration Medical Centers. A single-item measure with scores ranging from 0 to 6 was developed by the team and administered concurrently with the Locomotor Capabilities Index-5 (LCI-5) and other outcome measures at baseline (i.e., within seven days of the definitive amputation procedure), six weeks, four months, and 12 months post-amputation. Participants were assessed via in-person or telephone interview. Criterion and construct validity, responsiveness, and floor and ceiling effects were evaluated. Responsiveness was assessed using the standardized response mean.
Study limitations notwithstanding, the team concluded that in people with unilateral lower-limb amputations due to dysvascular etiologies, the AMPSIMM has strong criterion and construct validity, excellent responsiveness, and does not exhibit floor or ceiling effects.
AMPSIMM questions and scoring follows:
How would you rate your current level of mobility? (Pick one of the following that most closely describes you.)
- 6: I am able to walk in the community, with no ambulation aids, unlimited distances (e.g., shopping mall).
- 5: I am able to walk in the community, with no ambulation aids, limited distances (e.g., one block or equivalent).
- 4: I am able to walk in the community with ambulation aids (e.g., cane, crutches, walker).
- 3: I am able to walk inside my house with ambulation aids and use a wheelchair for community ambulation.
- 2: I am not able to walk but could get around my house and the community with a wheelchair.
- 1: I am not able to walk but could get around my house with a wheelchair but not get out into the community.
- 0: I am housebound and mostly bedridden and require help for all household transfers and mobility.
