Evaluating physical outcomes in acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors: Validity, responsiveness, and minimal important difference of 4-meter gait speed test

Kitty S. Chan, Lisa Aronson Friedman, Victor D. Dinglas, Catherine L. Hough, Peter E. Morris, Pedro A. Mendez-Tellez, James C. Jackson, E. Wesley Ely, Ramona O. Hopkins, Dale M. Needham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine the reliability, validity, responsiveness, and minimal important difference of the 4-m gait speed test in acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors. Design: Secondary analyses of data from two longitudinal follow-up studies of acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability, construct validity (convergent, discriminant, and known group), predictive validity, and responsiveness were examined. The minimal important difference was estimated using anchor- and distribution-based approaches. Setting: A national multicenter prospective study (ARDSNet Long-Term Outcome Study) and a multisite prospective study in Baltimore, MD (Improving Care of Acute Lung Injury Patients). Patients: Acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors with 4-m gait speed assessment up to 60 months after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDSNet Long-Term Outcome Study, n = 184; Improving Care of Acute Lung Injury Patients, n = 122). Interventions: Not applicable. Measurements and Main Results: Four-meter gait speed was assessed at 6- and 12-month follow-up (ARDSNet Long-Term Outcome Study) and 36-, 48-, and 60-month follow-up (Improving Care of Acute Lung Injury Patients). Excellent test-retest (intraclass correlation, 0.89-0.99 across studies and follow-up) and inter-rater (intraclass correlation, 0.97) reliability were found. Convergent validity was supported by moderate-to-strong correlations (69% of 32 > 0.40) with other physical function measures. Discriminant validity was supported by weak correlations (86% of 28 < 0.30) with mental health measures. Survivors with impaired versus nonimpaired measures of muscle strength and pulmonary function had significantly slower 4-m gait speed (all but one p < 0.05). Furthermore, 4-m gait speed significantly predicted future hospitalization and health-related quality of life. Gait speed changes were consistent with reported changes in function, supporting responsiveness. The estimated 4-m gait speed minimal important difference was 0.03-0.06 m/s. Conclusions: The 4-m gait speed is a reliable, valid, and responsive measure of physical function in acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors. The estimated minimal important difference will facilitate sample size calculations for clinical studies evaluating the 4-m gait speed test in acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)859-868
Number of pages10
JournalCritical care medicine
Volume44
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2016

Keywords

  • acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • clinimetrics
  • gait speed
  • psychometrics
  • reliability
  • validity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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