The objective of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of the Activity Inventory of the Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment and the Clinical Outcome Variables Scale (COVS), 2 measures of functional mobility. The study was a retrospective longitudinal study of 24 inpatients on a geriatric rehabilitation unit. The primary reasons for admission were deconditioning and hip fracture. We tested hypotheses that Activity Inventory and COVS scores at admission and discharge, and change scores during hospital stay would correlate. Longitudinal construct validity was also estimated using effect size and standardized response mean. Correlations between scores on each measure ranged from r=0.59-0.93 across subscales and total scales. The effect size of the Activity Inventory and the COVS was 1.53 and 1.43, respectively. The standardized response mean of the Activity Inventory and the COVS was 1.83 and 2.30, respectively.
Although findings support the validity of both measures, the COVS appears more efficient and sensitive than the Activity Inventory to change in this population.