How consistent ILoA scores are and whether staff retraining improves them
Inter- and Intra-observer Reliability of the Iowa Level of Assistance (ILoA) Scale for Measuring Postoperative Functional Recovery in Orthopedic Patients: an Observational Study
This project will test whether physiotherapists give consistent Iowa Level of Assistance (ILoA) scores for patients after hip or knee arthroplasty or femoral fracture and whether retraining staff makes the scores more consistent.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bologna) |
| Trial ID | NCT07330011 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study enrolls physiotherapists at Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (Bologna) and two satellite sites and uses the ILoA scale already embedded in care pathways for hip and knee arthroplasty and femoral fracture patients. A retrospective phase uses previously recorded videos scored as a baseline for inter- and intra-observer reliability. Participating staff will then receive a structured retraining program and, at least three months later, independently re-score standardized patient videos anonymously to produce post-training reliability indices. Intra-observer reliability will be measured by repeating the scoring on the same videos at least two weeks apart.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients at IOR Bologna, Argenta, or Bagheria undergoing primary or revision hip or knee arthroplasty or hip surgery/osteosynthesis for femoral fracture for whom the ILoA is used in routine care.
Not a fit: Patients treated outside the participating IOR sites or those whose care does not use the ILoA scale are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could make functional assessments after joint surgery more reliable, improving rehabilitation planning and monitoring of recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has examined ILoA and similar functional scales with mixed reliability results, while the specific effect of structured staff retraining is relatively underexplored.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * For Observers (Physiotherapists): All physiotherapists working at the main Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (IOR) site in Bologna or at the two satellite sites in Argenta and Bagheria. Physiotherapists must have the role of observers in the study. All physiotherapists affiliated with the SAITeR service who have previously received initial training in the use of the ILoA scale; newly hired staff must have completed the specific training pathway. For Patients: Patients admitted to IOR Bologna or Argenta for whom administration of the ILoA scale is part of routine clinical practice. Patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Patients undergoing revision hip or knee arthroplasty. Patients undergoing hip arthroplasty or osteosynthesis for femoral fracture. Exclusion Criteria: * Refusal or inability to provide informed consent (for both physiotherapists and patients).
Where this trial is running
Bologna
- SAITeR IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli — Bologna, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mattia Morri — IRCCS Istotuto Ortopedico Rizzoli
- Study coordinator: Mattia Morri
- Email: mattia.morri@ior.it
- Phone: +390516366694
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.