The purpose 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. It was a retrospective longitudinal study of 24 inpatients (mean age 83 years (standard deviation 7)) on a geriatric rehabilitation unit where the primary reasons for admission were deconditioning (n=9) and hip fracture (n=7). The study 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 (p<0.01). 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. A larger study is needed to confirm these findings.