The Leg Activity measure, a new measure of passive and active function and impact on quality of life; informing goal setting and outcome evaluation in leg spasticity.

Purpose: Application of the Leg Activity measure in acquired brain injury spasticity intervention to identify areas for goal setting prior to treatment, document the treatments applied and evaluate outcome.

Methods: A prospective cohort from three specialist spasticity management centres was used. Primary outcome measures were, Leg Activity Measure, Modified Ashworth Scale and Goal Attainment Scaling - light. Measurement was completed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. The Leg-Therapy recording Schedule was used to record physical therapy intervention.

Results: Participants ( = 64) included had a mean age of 51 (18-84) years, half ( = 32) were men. Significant changes were demonstrated over the 12-week period in MAS (X = 35.4;  < 0.001), the Leg Activity passive function scale (X = 32.2;  < 0.001) (e.g., improved ease of dressing, hygiene) and Leg Activity impact on quality of life scale (Xr2 = 32.2;  < 0.001). No change was identified in the Leg Activity active function scale. Goal achievement was demonstrated at 6 weeks and further improved at 12 weeks (Xr2 = 65.7;  < 0.001) and was associated with change in the relevant scale. Physical interventions were captured at each time-point.

Discussion: Significant gains in passive-function and quality-of-life were recorded by the Leg Activity measure scales at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks post-injection in the context of on-going physical treatment, primarily by self-management.Implications for rehabilitationThe Leg Activity measure is able to detected changes in passive function and impact on quality of life.Measurement of change in active function is also likely to be detected, but was not seen in the cohort studied.The Leg Activity measure was effective in this study in identifying problem areas to enable setting of treatment goals and planning of treatment intervention.