Construct Validity and Responsiveness of the University of Wisconsin Running Injury and Recovery Index
Evan O. Nelson, Stephanie Kliethermes, Bryan C. Heiderscheit
Abstract
Objectives The University of Wisconsin Running Injury and Recovery Index (UWRI) is the first running-specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). The UWRI evaluates the key elements runners use to self-assess running ability during recovery. This study evaluated the construct-related validity and responsiveness of the UWRI as an evaluative PROM of running ability following running-related injury (RRI). Design Prospective longitudinal study. Methods Runners seeking care from a physical therapist for an RRI (n = 396) completed PROMs at baseline and 12 weeks later. Change in UWRI score was validated against the global rating of change (GROC), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) change, and change in body region- specific PROMs. Responsiveness was evaluated using anchor-based and distribution-based techniques. Results Change in UWRI score (mean ± SD, 7.7 ± 8.9 points) was correlated with the GROC (r = 0.67), as well as with changes in the VR-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) (r = 0.54) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) (r = 0.31). Change in UWRI score was correlated with changes in the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure sports subscale (r = 0.75), the 12-item International Hip Outcome Tool (r = 0.75), and the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (r = 0.48), but not with the Oswestry Disability Index Version 2.0 (r = 0.05). Change in UWRI score was significantly different in runners reporting significant improvement (12.2 ± 5.9 points), slight improvement (7.1 ± 6.6 points), no change (0.0 ± 9.1 points), and worsening (−14.6 ± 7.4 points) on the GROC anchor-based responsiveness assessment. The UWRI minimal important change and minimal clinically important difference were 5 and 8 points, respectively. Conclusion The UWRI is a valid clinical tool for evaluating running ability following RRI; it demonstrated longitudinal validity (GROC), convergent validity (PCS and body region- specific PROMs), divergent validity (MCS), and responsiveness to changes in patient-perceived running ability. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(12):702–710. Epub 28 Oct 2020. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9698