Content analysis of PROMIS physical function banks using the international classification of functioning, disability and health

Michelle M Langer; Kathryn C Nesbit; Alex Dien; Theresa Jaramillo; Sang S Pak

doi:10.1007/s11136-025-04071-1

Content analysis of PROMIS physical function banks using the international classification of functioning, disability and health

Qual Life Res. 2025 Nov;34(11):3159-3165. doi: 10.1007/s11136-025-04071-1. Epub 2025 Sep 25.

Authors

Michelle M Langer¹, Kathryn C Nesbit², Alex Dien³, Theresa Jaramillo³, Sang S Pak⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
² Department of Physical Therapy, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
³ Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
⁴ Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. sam.pak@ucsf.edu.

Abstract

Purpose: This study links the current version of the PROMIS Physical Function bank, including its Mobility and Upper Extremity sub-banks, to the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and health (ICF). This research aims to enhance interpretability and applicability of these measures across healthcare and research settings by establishing a common language between PROMIS and ICF.

Methods: 165 items from PROMIS Physical Function v2.0, Mobility v2.1, and Upper Extremity v2.1 banks were mapped to ICF codes at primary, second, and third levels. Two investigators independently coded items, with a referee for consensus. Inter-rater reliability was assessed to evaluate coder agreement, and content composition was analyzed through frequencies of mapped ICF codes.

Results: Mapping achieved substantial inter-rater reliability (α = 0.79–0.88). "D4 Mobility" was the most represented ICF chapter across banks, with the Mobility bank having the highest proportion (93%). The Physical Function bank covered seven primary ICF chapters, dominated by "D4 Mobility" (69%) and "D5 Self-care" (12%). The Mobility and Upper Extremity banks showed distinct content focuses within the broader physical function domain.

Conclusion: This analysis reveals broad ICF concept coverage in PROMIS Physical Function banks, primarily of Mobility and Self-care. The mapping enables clinicians to understand PROMIS content using familiar ICF terminology and supports goal-setting that integrates both frameworks. These capabilities enable innovative clinical care and customized measurement approaches. While acknowledging limitations, this work provides a foundation for integrated, patient-centered care and outcomes research.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11136-025-04071-1.

Keywords: Content validity; Functional measurement; International classification of functioning (ICF); PROMIS physical function; Patient-centered care.