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Concurrent Validity Between Potential Screening Tests for Early Mobility Decline in Independent Community Dwellers.
Yuri Yoshida1, Joseph A Zeni2, YiLiang Zhu3
1Division of Physical Therapy at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy (2001)
|September 16, 2022
Summary
Standardized locomotive syndrome (LS) tests show strong correlations with established mobility assessments. These tests effectively differentiate stages of mobility decline, supporting their potential for early screening in healthy aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Preventive Healthcare
Background:
- Standardized screening for early mobility decline is crucial for healthy aging.
- Locomotive Syndrome (LS) tests aim to identify mobility decline stages and guide interventions.
- Developing lifespan-applicable, standardized mobility screening tests is a long-term goal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the concurrent validity between reference mobility tests and LS tests.
- To assess the ability of LS tests to differentiate stages of mobility decline.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 115 community dwellers (average age 61.2 years).
- Compared LS tests (Stand-Up Test, 2-Step Test, 25-GLFS) with reference tests (stair-climbing, 30-sec chair rise, 6-min walk, PROMIS GPH, LEFS).
- Utilized nonparametric analyses of variance and correlations to evaluate validity.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations found between performance-based reference tests and LS tests (|r|=0.38-0.61, P<.001).
- Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) correlated with all LS tests; Global Physical Health (GPH) correlated with 25-GLFS.
- Reference test scores significantly differed across the 3 LS stages (P<.05).
Conclusions:
- LS tests and reference tests demonstrated significant correlations.
- Worse performance on reference tests correlated with increased LS severity.
- LS standardized tests show potential for important roles in mobility screening.
