Reliability and validity of the Londrina activities of daily living protocol in individuals with systemic sclerosis.

PURPOSE

To investigate the validity and reliability of the Londrina ADL Protocol in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

The study included 39 individuals with SSc and 30 healthy participants aged 18-70 years. Performance-related ADL assessment was performed with the Londrina ADL Protocol which was performed twice by the same rater and energy expenditure during the test with the Dynaport Move Monitor device. Functional capacity (6 Minute Walk Test-6MWT), upper extremity muscle strength (hand-held dynamometer), hand and finger grip strength (hand dynamometer and pinch meter), upper extremity functionality (Q-Dash Questionnaire and 9 Hole Peg Test), self-reported ADL (Milliken ADL Scale (MAS)) and quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Upper extremity muscle strength, functional capacity, upper extremity functionality, and quality of life of individuals with SSc were found to be significantly lower and the time spent by individuals with SSc in the Londrina ADL Protocol was lower and the time spent by individuals with SSc in the Londrina ADL Protocol was significantly longer compared to the healthy group (p<0.05). Performance in the the Londrina ADL had high intraclass correlation coefficient ICC=0.813. A moderate negative correlation was found between the time to complete the Londrina Protocol and 6MWT (p<0.05), and a weak negative correlation was found between dominant side hand grip strength (p<0.05) and MAS (p<0.05) in individuals with SSc. A moderate positive correlation was found between the Londrina Protocol and the 9-Hole Peg Test for the dominant side (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The Londrina Protocol is a valid and reliable method, hence, this makes it appropriate for an objective, performance-based evaluation of ADL in SSc population. Key Points • The results obtained by reapplication the Londrina ADL Protocol under the same conditions showed that the Londrina ADL Protocol is a highly reliable assessment method in scleroderma patients. • Considering the activities and protocol content of the Londrina ADL Protocol, it is thought to show functional performance better than the Glittre ADL test and 6MWT. • The Londrina ADL Protocol is appropriate for objective and performance-based assessment of ADL in the SSc population for both research and clinical practice.