Construct validity and responsiveness of the university of wisconsin running injury and recovery index

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.