Avaliação da validade e confiabilidade da escala Life Space Assessment (LSA) aplicada remotamente em pacientes com hemiparesia crônica pós AVC

Abstract

Stroke causes neurological, motor and/or sensory sequelae, the main one being hemiparesis. Hemiparesis is a condition in which the lower and upper limbs on the same side of the body are compromised by paralysis, directly impacting the mobility of affected individuals. The Life Space Assessment (LSA) scale was developed to assess an individual's mobility. The StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM) is an activity monitor that counts total steps. There are no studies in the literature that have applied LSA remotely or correlate it with activity monitors. Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of the LSA scale applied remotely and to evaluate the correlation between the LSA scale and the SAM accelerometer applied to patients suffering from hemiparesis. Methodology: The LSA scale was applied remotely (via telephone) and later in person. Participants used the SAM for a period of three consecutive days. Correlation data between LSA and SAM were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test. The correlation was considered: very low (values < 0.26), low (between 0.26 and 0.49), moderate (between 0.50 and 0.69), high (between 0.70 and 0.89) or very high (between 0.90 and -1.00). To assess reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used. The following were considered: poor (ICC < 0.4); satisfactory 0.4 ≤ ICC < 0.75 and excellent ICC ≥ 0.75. Results: The reliability of the LSA scale between remote and in-person applications was considered excellent with ICC = 0.84 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.43- 0.96. The correlation between the average number of steps captured by the SAM and the total LSA score was positive and considered moderate with a value of 0.69 and p= 0.04. Conclusion: The LSA scale is valid and reliable for remote application and has a positive and moderate correlation with the SAM activity monitor.