Validity and Inter-Rater Reliability of a Novel Bedside Referral Tool for Spasticity
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Spasticity, Muscle
- Sponsor
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Enrollment
- 60
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Sensitivity of Bedside Referral Tool
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 7 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to improve spasticity diagnosis through development of a simple physical examination guide for primary care providers to identify patients who would benefit from being referred to a movement disorders neurologist for a spasticity evaluation.
Detailed Description
The aim of this study is to improve spasticity (a form of muscle rigidity) diagnosis through development of a simple physical examination guide for primary care providers/clinicians. This guide will assist in the identification of patients who would benefit from being referred to a movement disorders neurologist for spasticity evaluation and subsequent treatment. The examination tool will be tested for bedside implementation in all consenting participants residing in Tennessee State Veteran's Home, which is a long-term care facility in Murfreesboro, TN. Each of the 140 residents will receive one neurological examination and two physical examinations guided by the referral tool. A medical record review will also be performed.
Investigators
David Charles
Professor and Vice-Chairman of Neurology; Chief Medical Officer, Vanderbilt Neuroscience Institute
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Males or female subjects of any race, aged 18 and above
- •Resident of the selected long-term care facility
- •The subject, or if appropriate their medical decision maker, is willing and able to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Subjects for whom participation in the study may cause medical harm
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Sensitivity of Bedside Referral Tool
Time Frame: Up to three months after consent is obtained
Two Vanderbilt primary care providers (a nurse practitioner and a primary care physician) will examine all consented residents, guided by the bedside referral tool, to determine if a referral to a movement disorders neurologist is requires for a spasticity consultation. The findings of each exam will be recorded by the research coordinator, who will keep the results blinded from the other raters. Each rater's referral decision will be compared to the diagnosis made by the movement disorders neurologist.
Secondary Outcomes
- Spasticity Diagnosis(Up to three months after consent is obtained)
- Inter-rater Reliability(Up to three months after consent is obtained)
- Specificity of Bedside Referral Tool(Up to three months after consent is obtained)