Short Functional Dependence Scale: development and pilot test in older adults with cancer

The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot test an instrument, the Short Functional Dependence Scale (SFDS), to measure functional dependence in the older adult receiving cancer treatment. Patients from 2 oncology clinics affiliated with a teaching hospital participated in this descriptive, quantitative study. Participants consisted of older adults (N = 26; mean age 71, SD = 5; 54% female; 85% Caucasian) receiving chemotherapy intravenously for solid tumor cancer. Patients, nurses, oncologists, and social workers helped select instrument items and establish content validity. Measurements using the SFDS included baseline and follow-up visits. Data analysis included Cronbach alpha to determine internal consistency and repeated measures to evaluate SFDS scores and associated variables. Cronbach alpha ranged from 0.737 to 0.919 for the 12 items of the SFDS. Functional dependence increased with age, surgery, radiation therapy, and lower hemoglobin levels. Compared to participants with other types of cancer, participants with lung cancer were more dependent in basic activities of daily living, but participants with breast cancer had the highest degree of overall functional dependence. The SFDS has content validity and internal consistency. Pilot testing showed that the instrument performed well in differentiating the functional dependencies of patients receiving chemotherapy according to variables of interest.