Outcome measures and resources
2 minute read
Selecting the most relevant measures for use in clinical research or practice is often difficult.
A number of organisations can help you use validated, reliable and responsive outcome measures, which are fundamental for gauging the effectiveness of interventions and assuring the quality of healthcare provision.
The Multiple Sclerosis Task Force
The Multiple Sclerosis Task Force has evidence‐based recommendations for outcome measures for clinical practice, education, and/or research. The team from the American Physical Therapy Association has produced instructions sheets outlining administration and scoring procedures for each outcome measure.
Rehabilitation Measures Database
The Rehabilitation Measures Database helps clinicians and researchers identify reliable and valid outcome measures. It has been developed by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Medical Social Sciences Informatics group. The database consists of over 300 measures for use with a number of diagnoses, including MS, stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury during all phases of rehabilitation.
Comet
The Comet (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials) initiative provides recommendations for a minimum set of disease specific outcome measures to be reported in clinical trials. The use of core outcomes makes it easier for the results of trials to be compared, contrasted and combined within systematic reviews and meta analyses.
RIMS
RIMS, the European Network for Best Practice and Research in MS Rehabilitation, provides research outcome measures for mobility, upper limb function and health-related quality of life.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy lists important considerations for choosing appropriate outcome measures, though it no longer maintains a database of outcome measures.
Other resources from TiMS

Useful presentations and podcasts
TiMS have put together a collection of resources and videos covering topics ranging from symptom management to new equipment.

How to handle and position people with spasticity
TiMS has produced three short videos showing different aspects of handling and positioning people with spasticity. You may find them useful in your work or as a teaching aid.

Core Stability Exercises
A resource for Professionals to develop tailored training programmes for people with MS to improve balance, strength and stability. Developed by TiMS.