Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2025
10:32
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
18.5K
Self-Reported Questionnaire to Evaluate Functional Abilities in Middle Age: A Call for Delphi Expert Panel
Roee Hayek1, Odelyah Saad2, Shmuel Springer1
1The Neuromuscular & Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 13, 2023
Summary
Existing questionnaires inadequately assess functional ability in middle-aged adults (45-65 years). New tools are needed to capture dynamic balance, flexibility, and strength for optimal aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Health Assessment
Background:
- Optimal aging requires early detection of functional decline.
- Self-reported questionnaires are efficient tools for assessing functional abilities.
- The middle-aged population (MA, 45-65 years) lacks specific functional ability assessment tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify existing functional ability assessment questionnaires for the middle-aged population.
- To highlight the need for developing a new questionnaire tailored for MA.
- To understand the specific functional limitations experienced by MA.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an online literature search for relevant questionnaires.
- Performed an online survey of individuals aged 45-65.
- Interviewed individuals reporting age-related functional decline.
Main Results:
- Eight potentially relevant questionnaires were identified, but none were specifically designed for MA.
- Most existing questionnaires exhibit a ceiling effect for the MA population.
- Respondents reported difficulties with dynamic balance, flexibility, and maximum strength, which are not adequately captured by current tools.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant gap in functional capacity assessment tools for the middle-aged population.
- A new, tailored functional capacity assessment questionnaire is needed for MA.
- A Delphi expert panel approach is recommended for developing this new assessment tool.
