TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical and performance measures for the identification of mild to moderate frailty
AU - Brown, Marybeth
AU - Sinacore, David R.
AU - Binder, Ellen F.
AU - Kohrt, Wendy M.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Background. The relative importance and association of factors contributing to physical frailty in elderly persons are unclear. Methods. Physical measures of upper and lower extremity strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, sensation, and gait were evaluated in relation to scores obtained on a 36-point physical performance test (PPT) in 107 elderly subjects. Results. Scores on the PPT were significantly associated with the measures of strength and balance, gait, several range of motion values, and sensation. Subjects were also grouped according to score on the PPT as not frail (32-36 points), mildly frail (25-31 points), or moderately frail ( 17-24 points). ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc analyses were used to examine the relationships of physical measures to this index of frailty. Balance measures, an obstacle course, the Berg scale, the full tandem portion of the Romberg test, and fast gait speed were significantly different among the three groups. Multiple stepwise regression analyses indicated that the strongest combination of variables, explaining 73% of all the variance in the PPT, included obstacle course performance, hip abduction strength, the semitandem portion of the Romberg test, and coordination (pegboard). Conclusions. Results provide further insight into the relative importance of factors that contribute to frailty and factors that should be considered in treatment planning for the remediation of physical frailty in old adults.
AB - Background. The relative importance and association of factors contributing to physical frailty in elderly persons are unclear. Methods. Physical measures of upper and lower extremity strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, sensation, and gait were evaluated in relation to scores obtained on a 36-point physical performance test (PPT) in 107 elderly subjects. Results. Scores on the PPT were significantly associated with the measures of strength and balance, gait, several range of motion values, and sensation. Subjects were also grouped according to score on the PPT as not frail (32-36 points), mildly frail (25-31 points), or moderately frail ( 17-24 points). ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc analyses were used to examine the relationships of physical measures to this index of frailty. Balance measures, an obstacle course, the Berg scale, the full tandem portion of the Romberg test, and fast gait speed were significantly different among the three groups. Multiple stepwise regression analyses indicated that the strongest combination of variables, explaining 73% of all the variance in the PPT, included obstacle course performance, hip abduction strength, the semitandem portion of the Romberg test, and coordination (pegboard). Conclusions. Results provide further insight into the relative importance of factors that contribute to frailty and factors that should be considered in treatment planning for the remediation of physical frailty in old adults.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=17344383074&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/gerona/55.6.M350
DO - 10.1093/gerona/55.6.M350
M3 - Article
C2 - 10843356
AN - SCOPUS:17344383074
VL - 55
SP - M350-M355
JO - Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
JF - Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
SN - 1079-5006
IS - 6
ER -