Validity and inter-rater reliability of the Lindop Parkinson's Disease Mobility Assessment: a preliminary study

ObjectivesTo assess the validity and inter-rater reliability of the Lindop Parkinson's Disease Mobility Assessment (LPA); a scale developed to gather objective information on gait and bed mobility in patients with Parkinson's disease.DesignTwo therapists scored a group of patients with Parkinson's disease using the motor examination section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-ME) and the LPA scale. The association between scores obtained using the two scales was calculated, and the scores obtained by the therapists using each scale were compared.SettingA Parkinson's disease clinic in a day hospital in a district general hospital.ParticipantsForty-nine subjects with Parkinson's disease were recruited (33 males, 16 females, mean age 75.84 ± 7.16 years).ResultsThere was a significant association between the LPA and UPDRS-ME data for both raters (Rater A, rho −0.67; Rater B, rho −0.63; P < 0.001). The limits of agreement showed that the two raters scored within two scale points of each other on 95% of occasions, and that there was no systematic bias between raters. Percentage agreement between raters ranged from 82% to 100% for the LPA. The LPA took significantly less time to complete [mean 7.7 (standard deviation 2.9) minutes] than the UPDRS-ME [mean 10.5 (standard deviation 2.2) minutes; P < 0.001].ConclusionsThe results suggest that the LPA is a valid measure with good inter-rater reliability. It is quick and easy to administer, and provides objective information about the gait and bed mobility of elderly patients with Parkinson's disease.