The Evaluation of the Inter-rater Reliability of the Standard for the Activity and Participation for Knee Osteoarthritis: Using an Additional Set of Specifications

Abstract

[Purpose] To evaluate whether the inter-rater reliability of the qualifiers’ scale of the ICF Core Set in the Activity and Participation component for osteoarthritis can be improved by complementing the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Standard for the Activity and Participation (draft)” with an additional set of specifications created by our team. [Subjects] Twenty knee osteoarthritis and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients were evaluated after the operation. [Method] Three physiotherapists evaluated the difference in the inter-rater reliability between with or without using the additional set of specifications. [Result] With the use of the additional set of specifications, the inter-rater reliability improved. [Conclusion] By setting clearer standards for each category as was done by adding the new set of specifications, the inter-rater reliability will be improved when evaluating the post-operative activity and participation of osteoarthritis patients and TKA patients.