Content comparison of four commonly used amputee mobility assessment scales in the literature by linking to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

Background: Despite the fact that there are a number of studies revealing the linkage of scales with the World Health Organization's international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF), there is a need for comprehensive studies examining the relationship between amputee mobility scales and ICF.

Objective: To analyze the content of four amputee mobility scales at the item level using the ICF.

Methods: The Locomotor Capacity Index, Rivermead Mobility Index, Amputee Mobility Predictor, and Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility were analyzed by two health professionals for content comparison according to the ICF categories. Kappa statistic was used to calculate the degree of agreement between the two investigators.

Results: A total of 62 items in the scales were analyzed and linked with ICF codes. The scale questions were linked with 27 different ICF codes as follows: 1 (3.7%) "body function", 23 (85.1%) "activity and participation", 2 (7.5%) "environmental factors," and 1 (3.7%) "not definable. The estimated kappa values ranged from 0.83 to 0.90 for ICF codes.

Conclusion: As a result of the study, the ICF is a highly effective resource that can be used in the analysis of amputee mobility scales. Because the scale items are more concentrated on the mobility chapter, it was seen that the scales generally served their purposes. In the light of the findings obtained, it is thought that the diversity of the scales in the concept distribution will guide clinicians and researchers in choosing scales according to their target groups.