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Recommended Measures

Use Recommended HealthMeasures

Not sure what HealthMeasure to use? View our recommendations when working with specific patient populations and age groups. Learn what short form, CAT, or profile is best for your purpose. Use our decision tree to select a physical function measure.

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Recommendations by Patient Population

View downloadable guides with recommended measures for specific patient populations.

View Guides
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Age-Specific Guidance

Review guidance for selecting measures by age at a single or multiple points in time.
View Guidance

Recommendations by Measure Type

Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs) represent state-of-the-science measurement recommended for most purposes. Additional measure types include short forms and profiles.

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CATs

CATs are tailored, dynamic measures that prioritize short assessments with very precise scores for a given domain.
View Recommended CATs
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Profiles & Global Health

Profiles bundle together a fixed set of short forms or CATs for core domains.
PROMIS® Global Health measures are short forms that assess overall physical and mental health.
View Recommendations
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Short Forms

Short forms are static measures with a fixed set of items for a given domain.
View Recommended Short Forms

Recommended Physical Function Measures

PROMIS®, Neuro-QoL™, ASCQ-Me®, and NIH Toolbox® all include measures of physical function. Use the Decision Tree for Selecting a Patient-Reported Physical Function HealthMeasure to find the best measure for your purpose. Download Decision Tree.

  • Neuro-QoL Mobility and Upper Extremity measures are the best options for adults with neurologic conditions.
  • PROMIS Physical Function measures are the best options for all other adults. The specific measure (CAT, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-item short form) should match the aim of assessment (e.g., screening, comparing large groups, comparing small groups or individual evaluation).
  • PROMIS Upper Extremity measures are the best options for adults when there is a known or suspected upper extremity limitation and can complement a PROMIS Physical Function measure.
  • PROMIS pediatric and parent proxy Mobility and Upper Extremity measures are the best options for children ages 5-17.
  • NIH Toolbox Motor measures are the best options for children ages 3-5.

When selecting between PROMIS adult self-report measures of Physical Function, Mobility, and Upper Extremity, PROMIS Physical Function is recommended.

  • For most patient populations including those with lower extremity concerns, we recommend PROMIS Physical Function measures. PROMIS Physical Function is a core measure used extensively in a variety of clinical settings, thus facilitating benchmarking and score interpretation given the large amount of data and publications. As compared to PROMIS Mobility, PROMIS Physical Function has a greater range of measurement from very poor function to exceptional function.
  • PROMIS Upper Extremity measures are a useful addition to Physical Function for patients who have concerns specific to the upper body (e.g., hand, wrist, shoulder, elbow). PROMIS Upper Extremity and Physical Function measures are scored on different metrics and cannot be compared.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For adults, we suggest using a set of PROMIS measures for Physical Function, Depression, and Pain Interference. If there is time for additional measures, consider other PROMIS core domains (i.e., Fatigue, Sleep Disturbance, Anxiety, Cognitive Function, Ability to Participate in Social Roles & Activities). Learn more about PROMIS core domains for adults.
  • For pediatrics and parent proxy, we suggest using a set of PROMIS measures for Mobility, Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, and Fatigue. If there is time for additional measures, consider other PROMIS core domains (i.e., Pain Interference and Reer Relationships), Learn more about PROMIS core domains for pediatrics and parent proxy report.
  • You can use CATs which are precise and brief or short forms that are appropriate for use with an individual patient. View Recommended CATS for Core Domains and short forms.
  • Add other measures for specific clinics or conditions as recommended by patients and providers. For example, in urology you may want to add a urinary function measure. These additional measures could be HealthMeasures or other valid patient-reported outcome measures.

Some PROMIS measures have been included in patient-reported outcome performance measures (PRO-PMs). Learn more about these measures at Quality Measures (PRO-PMs).

Last updated: September 14, 2026