Physical activity in Iranian older adults who experienced fall during the past 12 months

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE)

Background

Old age is associated with reduced physical ability. It is necessary to measure and evaluate the physical activity of older people. Implementing appropriate requires a valid and reliable tool. Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) is the frequently used self-reported physical activity assessment for older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the translation validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly.

Methods

This study is a methodological, descriptive applied research was conducted on 300 older people. The translation process of the English version of PASE into Persian was carried out according to the process of translation and adaptation of scale recommended by the World Health Organization. The reliability of the scale was examined by calculating the Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The reliability and validity of the scale were evaluated by following the “Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments” (COSMIN) checklist. To assess the face and content validity, impact score (IS), the content validity ratio (CVR), and the content validity index (CVI) were determined. A confirmatory factor analysis was also performed.

Results

The experts approved the quality of the Persian version of PASE. The reliability was calculated with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94, an ICC of 0.99, and a test-retest correlation coefficient of 0.94. The qualitative and quantitative face validity of all questions by expert judgment and IS of greater than 1.5 was considered. Also, CVR and CVI scores of all questions were higher than 0.6 and 0.79, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good fit for the original three-factor structure.

Conclusions

The Persian or Farsi version of PASE was shown to have acceptable validity and reliability. This tool is suitable for measuring the physical activity level in the Persian elderly language special in clinical environments and therapeutic interventions.

Psychometric properties of the Iranian version of self-care ability scale for the elderly

BACKGROUND

Measuring self-care ability in elderly people needs specific instruments. The Self-care Ability Scale for Elderly (SASE) is one of the common instruments used for assessing self-care ability. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the SASE among Iranian elderly population.

METHODS

This cross-cultural adaptation study was carried out at Shahid Chamran and Shadpour Health Complex in Tabriz, Iran. The forward-backward procedure was applied to translate the SASE from English into Persian. Then, it was completed to 220 elderly people. A systematic random sampling method was used for sampling. Content validity was calculated through modified Kappa coefficient (modified CVI) based on clarity and relevance criteria. Reliability was measured by internal consistency and test-retest analysis. The construct validity also was assessed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). All the statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 21 statistical software package.

RESULTS

The mean of self-care ability was 61.14 ± 21.08. The CVI and modified kappa were 0.91 and 0.92 for relevance and clarity, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.73 and Intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.97. The results of EFA revealed a three-factor solution ('ability to take care of personal responsibility', 'ability to take care for the goals', and 'ability to take care of the health') that jointly explained for 64.61% of the total variance.

CONCLUSION

Results of the study showed that the Iranian version of the SASE has good psychometric properties and can be used in assessing the self-care ability of elderly people.

Cultural adaptation and psychometric adequacy of the Persian version of the physical activity scale for the elderly (P-PASE)

OBJECTIVE

This cross sectional study was conducted to investigate cultural adaption and validation of the Persian version of the PASE among the elderly community dwellers in Iran. Out of 278 elderly people, 65% of them were female. After translation and cultural adaption, the PASE was evaluated with respect to the validity and reliability. Regarding the construct validity, the concurrent validity was assessed between the PASE and ADL, IADL, self-rated health, and TUG test.

RESULTS

The mean score of P-PASE was equal to 153.73 ± 48.47. P-PASE scores were significantly and negatively correlated with TUG (r = - 0.691, P < 0.001) and age (r = - 791, P > 0.001), and were also significantly correlated with ADL (r = 0.775, P < 0.001), and IADL (r = 0.161, P < 0.001). The ICC was obtained as 0.92 (95% CI 0.90-0.94), 0.86 (95% CI 0.82-0.87), and 0.91 (95% CI 0.90-0.94) for the leisure time activity, household activity, and work-related activity scores, respectively. The Cronbachs̓ alpha coefficient was equal to 0.74, 0.74, and 0.79, respectively for leisure time activity, household activity, and work-related activity domains.

Risk factors for falls in Iranian older adults: a case-control study

Falls are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Identifying potential risk factors would provide a considerable public health benefit. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the risk factors for falling among Iranian older adults. Two hundred eighty community-dwelling elders, with and without a history of falls, participated in the study. Elders aged 60 or over referred to retirement centres completed a multi-section questionnaire on demographic information, behavioural, environmental, and medical factors of fall from May to September 2018. Data analysis was performed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression using the Stata version 14 software. Sedentary activity level (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.85, 3.23), hearing loss (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.83), vertigo or dizziness (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.02, 4.91) and visual impairment (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.67) were important predictors of falls. No significant associations were observed between falls with demographic factors and medication. This study indicates several modifiable risk factors may be associated with falls that affect the health of older adults. Appropriate interventions are necessary to reduce modifiable risk factors of falls of high-risk elders.

Hyponatremia, bone mineral density and falls in the elderly; Results from AHAP study

Background. Hyponatremia (HN) can be associated with osteoporosis, falls and bone fractures in the elderly. Recent researches demonstrated different results about the correlation of HN with bone mineral density and bone fractures.

Methods. This analytic research came from the AHAP project in northern IRAN. All people aged 60 years and over were included in the study. Individuals with severe comorbidities and then who had concurrent conditions which could have impact on bone mineral densities (BMD) such as long-term use of steroids, calcium and/or vitamin D supplements, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, thiazides and hormonal medications were excluded.

Results. One thousand and one hundred and thirteen older persons entered in the study. More than 10 percent of the participants had HN (serum Na+ level ≤ 137mEq/L). No significant difference has been observed between hyponatremic and nonhyponatremic individuals about their balance abilities; bone mineral density; incidence of falls and/or bone fracture during the previous 6 months; dependency in activities of daily living; and osteoporosis.

Conclusion. HN was not a prevalent problem in older adults who met the inclusion criteria of this research. No significant difference has been observed between HN and bone mineral density and falls in the elderly.