Ann Geriatr Med Res.
2024 Dec;28(4):410-418. 10.4235/agmr.24.0087.
The Life Functioning Scale: A Measurement Tool Developed to Assess the Physical Functioning Abilities of Community-Dwelling Adults Aged 50 Years or Older
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
- 2Institute on Aging, Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Korea
- 3Division of Population Health Research, Department of Precision Medicine, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong, Korea
- 4Center for Teaching and Learning, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
- 5Department of Family Medicine, Kyung Hee Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 6Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 7Department of Nursing, Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea
- 8Division of Health and Nutrition Survey and Analysis, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong, Korea
- KMID: 2562902
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.24.0087
Abstract
- Background
This study aimed to develop an instrument for assessing physical functioning among adults aged 50 years or older living in the community.
Methods
Based on a review of various national health surveys and cohort studies, a 144-item bank was constructed for assessing physical functioning. Focus group interviews were conducted among adults aged 50 years or older to investigate their level of understanding of 60 selected items, followed by a pretest of the items on a nationally representative sample (n=508). The final 25-item questionnaire was tested on an independent sample (n=259) for validity and reliability based on classical test and item response theories. Predictive validity at the 6-month follow-up was tested in a separate sample (n=263).
Results
The newly developed Life Functioning (LF) scale assessed the dimensions of functional limitations, disabilities, and social activities. The scale satisfied a one-dimensionality assumption with good item fit and demonstrated criterion validity, construct validity, high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.93), and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient=0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.89). The LF scale comprised 25 items with a total score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicated higher levels of functioning. The LF score was significantly associated with the Physical Functioning score at 6 months.
Conclusion
The LF scale was developed to assess the physical functioning of people in their late midlife or older. Future studies should test the instrument on a national sample and evaluate its application in diverse population subgroups.
Keyword
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- Factors Associated with Physical Functioning among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
- Association of Social Support and Social Activity with Physical Functioning in Older Persons
- Development of a Knowledge Scale of Fall Risk Factors for Community-dwelling Older Adults
- Effects of a Volunteer-Run Peer Support Program on Health and Satisfaction with Social Support of Older Adults Living Alone
- The Development of Physical Functioning Scale for Community-Dwelling Older Persons
