Study protocol for the validation of a new pictorial functional scale in patients with knee osteoarthritis: the functional activity scoring tool (FAST)

The first pictorial patient-specific functional assessment tool—the Functional Activity Scoring Tool (FAST)—is developed.

⇒ This multisite study will validate the novel pictorial scale created and reviewed by an expert panel comprising patients and their families, physiotherapists and family physicians.

⇒ The proposed study aligns with international consensus standards on best practices of instrument development and validation studies—the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments.

⇒ Validation of patient-reported outcome measures is an iterative process. More testing of its psychometric properties must follow to support its usefulness in patients with other musculoskeletal conditions.

⇒ Although the study protocol will not alter the standardised physiotherapy treatment, we cannot rule out possible confounding variables that may influence the study outcomes.