Introduction
The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) is a self-report outcome instrument developed to assess physical function for individuals with foot and ankle related impairments.
The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure is a 29-item questionnaire divided into two subscales:
- 21-item Activities of Daily Living Subscale and
- 8-item Sports Subscale.
The Sports subscale assesses more difficult tasks that are essential to sport, it is a population-specific subscale designed for athletes.
Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (4 to 0) from ‘no difficulty at all’ to ‘unable to do’. Item score totals, which range from 0 to 84 for the ADL subscale and 0 to 32 for the Sports subscale, were transformed to percentage scores. Higher scores represent higher levels of function for each subscale, with 100% representing no dysfunction.
For the most valid results it is suggested that scores for the FAAM ADL and Sports subscales be generated only when subjects completed 90% or more of the items (19 of 21 for the ADL and 7 of 8 for the Sports subscales respectively).
Use the following EVALUATION FORM to evaluate your patient and PRINT THE FORM when the evaluation is completed.
Evaluation
Reliability
Evidence for reliability was obtained using the group that was expected to remain stable.
– ADL subscale: ICC = 0.89; SEM = 2,1 points
– Sport subscale: ICC = 0.87; SEM = 4,5 points
Content validity
The ADL and Sport subscales of the FAAM were correlated to the SF-36 physical function subscale and the SF-36 mental function subscale. Strong correlations were found with the SF-36 physical function subscale (r = .84; r = .78), weak correlations were found with the SF-36 mental function subscale (r = .18; r = .11).
Responsiveness
As well the ADL subscale as the Sport subscale of the FAAM were sensitive to significant changes over time. The Guyatt’s responsiveness index for the ADL subscale and the Sport subscale was respectively 2.75 and 1.40. The sport subscale of the FAAM seems to be less responsive than the ADL subscale. The minimal detectable change (MDC) based on a 95% confidence interval was 5.7 and 12.3 points for the ADL and Sports subscales, respectively.[
Significantly different change in scores during 4 week in the group expected to change (P<0.001).
Literature:
- Martin, RobRoy L., et al. “Evidence of validity for the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM).” Foot & Ankle International 26.11 (2005): 968-983.
- Martin, Robroy L., and James J. Irrgang. “A survey of self-reported outcome instruments for the foot and ankle.” Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 37.2 (2007): 72-84.
- Cosby, Nicole L., and Jay Hertel. “Clinical assessment of ankle injury outcomes: case scenario using the foot and ankle ability measure.” Journal of sport rehabilitation 20.1 (2011): 89-99.