Core Outcome Measures

While each diagnosis has its own set of validated measures, there are six core outcome measures that can be used across all neurological diagnoses. The core set of outcome measures for adults with neurologic conditions was developed as a clinical practice guideline to create a mainstream set of outcome measures to use with this population across the continuum of care. These guidelines establish the minimum measures needed to quantify balance, walking speed, walking endurance, and transfer ability. These measures should be used with patients who have the capacity to improve in the areas listed above. These outcome measures can be used in all settings of care and at different time points of care.

The six core outcome measures were derived from a systematic review of the current literature on outcome measures by Moore et al. To be recommended for the core set, the outcome measures needed to demonstrate excellent psychometric properties in high-quality studies across neurologic conditions. See evidence for each measure below:

• Strong Level I Evidence:

  • Berg Balance Scale (BBS) to assess static and dynamic balance

  • Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale) to assess changes in balance confidence.

• Strong to Moderate Evidence

  • Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) to assess dynamic balance during walking

  • 10 meter Walk Test (10MWT) to assess changes in gait speed as well as assess patients for fall risk

  • 6 Minute Walk test (6MWT) to assess changes in walking distance over time.

  • Five Time Sit-to-Stand (5xSTS) test to assess sit-to-stand ability in relation to transfers.

• Insufficient evidence

  • Specific outcome measure to assess patient-stated goals.

Please click each core outcome measure below to learn more about test administration, psychometrics, and scoring.

Outcome Measures by Diagnosis

Resources

Special note: All information presented on this website was collected purely for learning purposes and is not meant to be taken as medical advice. All information about each outcome measure can be found within the above resources and is not the original work of the website creators. All information presented was last updated in October 2021.