Question

When the score of the LEFS or UEFI changes enough for the client to notice a difference, it's known as the:

A) Minimal detectable change
B) Point of diminishing returns
C) Point of no return
D) Threshold of success

Answer 1

The correct answer when the LEFS or UEFI scores change enough for a client to notice is the Minimal detectable change (MDC). MDC is used to determine real progress in patient function. Absolute threshold and difference threshold pertain to sensory perception intensity and change detection, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the score of the LEFS (Lower Extremity Functional Scale) or UEFI (Upper Extremity Functional Index) changes enough for the client to notice a difference, it is known as the Minimal detectable change (MDC). This term refers to the smallest amount of change in a patient's score that signifies a real difference in their function, beyond measurement error or normal fluctuations. The MDC is particularly useful in health fields, such as physical therapy, to determine whether observed changes in a patient's functional scale scores reflect real progress.

To clarify the concepts mentioned in the original question, the terms absolute threshold and difference threshold relate to sensory perception. Absolute threshold refers to the minimum amount of stimulus energy required to be detected 50% of the time. On the other hand, a difference threshold or just noticeable difference (JND) is the smallest change in stimulus intensity that a person can detect. Decreased sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus is known as sensory adaptation, not mentioned in the provided options.