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Measuring Physical Function in Community‐Dwelling Older Persons: A Comparison of Self‐Administered, Interviewer‐Administered, and Performance‐Based Measures
Author(s) -
Reuben David B.,
Valle Laura A.,
Hays Ron D.,
Siu Albert L.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1995.tb06236.x
Subject(s) - activities of daily living , interview , medicine , gerontology , construct validity , physical therapy , recreation , psychometrics , clinical psychology , political science , law
PURPOSE: To compare two self‐administered, one interviewer‐administered, and one performance‐based measure of physical function in community‐based older persons. METHODS: Eighty‐three subjects were recruited from meal sites, senior recreation centers, and senior housing units for a comprehensive geriatric assessment program. At the time of screening, study participants self‐administered the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ) and were administered the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and the Older Americans Resources and Services Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (OARS‐IADL) instruments by interview. Participants also completed the Physical Performance Test (PPT) and were given the Medical Outcomes Study SF‐36 to self‐administer on site or at home and return by mail. RESULTS: All 83 subjects completed FSQ, Katz ADL, OARS‐IADL, and PPT; 72 returned SF‐36 forms. Correlations between the two self‐administered physical function measures (FSQ and SF‐36) were higher than between self‐administered and interviewer‐assessed (ADL and OARS‐IADL) or performance‐based (PPT) measures. When assessed for construct validity, the self‐administered, OARS, and PPT measures had comparable correlations with role limitations as a result of physical health problems, but relationships between physical functional status measures and other SF‐36 measures of health were inconsistent. CONCLUSION: The relationships between commonly used self‐administered, interviewer‐administered, and performance‐based measures of physical function were inconsistent and weak, suggesting that these instruments are not measuring the same construct.