VALIDITY OF DE MORTON MOBILITY INDEX IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS AT REHABILITATION

A. Zupanc¹, A. Bratuž¹, J. Pipan¹, P. Novak¹

Background: De Morton mobility index (DEMMI) includes assessment of 15 items of different difficulties; in bed, on chair, static and dynamic balance, and walking (total score: 0-100). The measurement properties were evaluated mainly in geriatric population; however, use of DEMMI was recommended also for adults at low and basic functioning level.

Purpose: To evaluate convergent and predictive validity of DEMMI in critically ill patients at rehabilitation.

Methods: At admission and discharge of rehabilitation 32 patients (aged 24–79 years) were assessed with DEMMI, Ten-meter walk test, Six-minute walk test and motor subscale of Functional Independence Measurement – FIM. To evaluate convergent and predictive validity, Spearman’s correlation coefficients (ρ) were calculated.

Results: Average DEMMI score at admission was 38.2 (SD 23.2) and at discharge it was 61.5 (SD 19.1). Correlations between DEMMI and Ten-meter walk test were very good (ρ=0.78 and ρ=0.83), in first and second assessment, respectively. Correlation with Six-minute walk test was good at first (ρ=0.74) and very good at the second assessment (ρ=0.85). Correlations with motor subscale of FIM were very good in both assessments, respectively (ρ=0.86 and ρ=0.80). Correlation between DEMMI score at admission and Six-minute walk test at discharge was good (ρ=0.65).

Conclusion(s): After 45 days (SD 19.2) of rehabilitation the average increase of DEMMI score was statistically significant (p<0.001). Convergent validity as a measure of balance and walking mobility in critically ill patients in all adults was good to very good. The ability of DEMMI to predict walking endurance was good.

Implications: In critically ill patients at rehabilitation DEMMI showed their improvement. We recommend DEMMI for mobility assessment in critically ill patients at rehabilitation.

Funding, acknowledgements: None.

Keywords: DEMMI, Critical illness, measurement tool

Topic: Musculoskeletal: peripheral

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: University Rehabilitation Institute, Republic of Slovenia - Soča

Committee: Ethics Committee of University Rehabilitation Institute, Republic of Slovenia - Soča

Ethics number: 68/2018