The American Musculoskeletal Research Institute is currently investigating the effect of osteoarthritis on the lives of older adults and their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). The patients with end-stage arthritis who are candidates for total joint replacements (knee or hip) are given the opportunity to participate in the scientific studies conducted at AMRI. The AMRI investigators assess the patients' 1) health-related quality of life (HRQL); 2) pain, disability, and joint stiffness, and physical function; 3) knee function and; 4) physical functional performance using various outcome measurement tools including the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP10) protocol. This study is approved by the Louisiana State University Institutional Review Board (Baton Rouge, LA) and the AMRI Review Board. The American Musculoskeletal Research Institute, home of the only certified CS-PFP lab in the area, is proud to serve as the site for physical functional performance research in the Central Louisiana region. There are several CS-PFP laboratories in research centers and universities across the country including LSU, Baton Rouge, LA; The Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA; University of Georgia, Gerontology Center, Athens, GA; Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA; Johns Hopkins University, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and University of Colorado Health Science Center, Geriatrics Division, Denver, CO. Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance Test. The Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP10) is a valid, reliable, and sensitive measure of physical function. The CS-PFP10 reflects physical function as an integration of physiological capacity, physical performance, and psychosocial factors. This test may represent the best effort to date at providing an activities-of-daily living performance-based functional test battery. The protocol requires the participant to perform a variety of activities of daily living in a standardized fashion. It includes items such as carrying groceries, stair climbing, sweeping, etc. The CS-PFP10 is thought to remove problems inherent in self-report measures such as the SF-36 and WOMAC, and discriminate across a wide array of conditions. Performance-based tests also provide important information about future disability and mortality, are thought to be a meaningful reflection of the conduct of similar tasks usually performed at home, and appear to be better suited for between-subject comparisons than self-report because the basis of comparison is the same (West et al, 1997). Other advantages include the opportunity for individuals to learn that their ability to perform ADLs may be different from what they perceive (Cress et al, 1995). If you would like to learn more about this testing protocol, you may log on the official site of CS-PFP testing at: www.coe.uga.edu/cs-pfp/before_testing/pfpadmin.html Cress, M.E., Buchner, D.M., Qeustad, K.A., Esselman, P.C., DeLateur, B.J., Schwartz, R.S. 1996. Continuous-Scale physical functional performance in a broad range of older adults: a validation study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 77(12):1243-1250. Cress, M.E., Buchner, D.M., Questad, K.A., Esselman, P.C., deLateur, B.J., Schwartz, R.S. 1999. Exercise: Effects on physical functional performance in independent older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 54A (5), M242-M248. Cress ME, Meyer M. (2003). Maximal voluntary and functional performance levels needed for independence in adults aged 65-97 years. Physical Therapy, 83 (1), 37-48. Cress, M.E., Buchner, D.M., Schwartz, R.S., & deLateur, B.J. (1996-2000). The American Musculoskeletal Research Institute (AMRI) is dedicated to the advancement of musculoskeletal research and committed to providing educational opportunities to students and practitioners.