Quantification of everyday motor function in a geriatric population

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation research and development Vol. 44; no. 3; p. 417
• Main Authors: Bruin, Eling D. de, Najafi, Bijan, Murer, Kurt, Uebelhart, Daniel, Aminian, Kamiar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Department of Veterans Affairs 01.01.2007; Superintendent of Documents
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adults; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic illnesses; Disability; Disability Evaluation; Exercise; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gait Disorders, Neurologic - physiopathology; Gait Disorders, Neurologic - rehabilitation; Geriatric Assessment - methods; Geriatrics; Health aspects; Health risk assessment; Humans; Male; Methods; Monitoring, Physiologic - methods; Motor ability; Motor Activity - physiology; Older people; Physiological aspects; Pilot Projects; Population; Postural Balance - physiology; Posture; Quality of Life; Terminal illnesses; Treatment Outcome; Walking; Switzerland
• ISSN: 0748-7711; 1938-1352; 1938-1352
• DOI: 10.1682/JRRD.2006.01.0003

This pilot study evaluated variability in physical activities and the correlations between walking, two types of postural transitions, and falls efficacy with an ambulatory activity monitor. An 11-subject convenience sample wore the monitor for 2 consecutive days; in addition, 7 subjects carried the monitor on 1 day of the following week. Demographic characteristics of the sample were age: mean +/- standard deviation [SD] = 87.8 +/- 2.5 yr, body mass index: mean +/- SD = 25.3 +/- 2.1 kg/m(2), and Mini-Mental State Examination score: mean +/- SD = 27.5 +/- 2.0. Analyzed movements were sit-to-stand (SiSt) and stand-to-sit postural transitions, dynamic activity (walking), and static behavior (sitting, standing, lying). Significant correlations were found for the SiSt transition duration (TD) between days (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.78). No differences were found between the durations of sitting (p = 0.8), lying (p = 0.72), standing (p = 0.06), and walking (p = 0.6). These parameters showed highly variable correlation coefficients. A significant correlation was observed between falls efficacy and SiSt measures (r = 0.84, p < 0.01, df = 9). We reliably determined the SiSt TD after subjects wore the monitor for 1 day in the home environment. Poor correlations between 2 consecutive measurement days for dynamic and static activity underline the necessity of recording further days to assess physical activity levels in the geriatric population.