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Validity of common physical function tests performed online for older adults
A McCain1, C McGibbon2, M Carroll1
1Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada; Cardiometabolic Exercise & Lifestyles Laboratory (CELLAB), Canada.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|June 24, 2023
Summary
Online physical function tests are valid for community-dwelling older adults. Gait speed, chair stands, and step tests showed excellent agreement between online and in-person assessments.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Digital Health
Background:
- Objective physical function tests predict institutionalization, disability, and mortality.
- Traditional in-person assessments are challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Need for validated remote assessment methods for physical function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the validity of common physical function tests performed online versus in-person.
- To compare online and in-person testing in older adults (65+).
Main Methods:
- Online and in-person testing of gait speed, one-leg stance balance, 30-second chair stands, and 2-minute step tests.
- Randomized order of testing settings.
- Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots used for analysis.
Main Results:
- Excellent average ICCs (0.87–0.94) for most tests, indicating high agreement.
- One-leg stance balance with eyes closed showed moderate ICC (0.47).
- No proportional biases were detected between online and in-person results.
Conclusions:
- Common physical function tests are valid when performed online for community-dwelling older adults.
- Online assessments offer a viable alternative to in-person testing.
- Supports the use of telehealth for geriatric functional assessments.
Keywords:
Bland-AltmanIntraclass correlation coefficientOlder adultsPhysical function testsValidityVirtual
