Physical Performance Test for the Elderly Patient

Description

Reuben et al developed a test for evaluating the physical performance of elderly outpatients. This can help identify elder patients who may benefit from interventions to improve physical performance. The authors are from the University of California Los Angeles.

Parameters:

(1) write the sentence "Whales live in the ocean."

(2) simulated eating (transferring 5 kidney beans in a bowl to a can using a spoon)

(3) lift a heavy book (such as the PDR) and put it on the shelf above shoulder level

(4) put on and remove a jacket

(5) pick up a penny from the floor

(6) turn around 360 degrees

(7) 50 foot (15.25 meters) walk test (25 feet away and then back)

(8) climb to top of 1 flight of stairs (9 to 12 steps)

(9) climb and descend multiple flights of stairs

Parameters	Finding	Points
sentence writing	<= 10 seconds	4
	10.1 to 15 seconds	3
	15.1 to 20 seconds	2
	> 20 seconds	1
	unable	0
simulated eating	<= 10 seconds	4
	10.1 to 15 seconds	3
	15.1 to 20 seconds	2
	> 20 seconds	1
	unable	0
lift a book and put it on a shelf	<= 2 seconds	4
	2.1 to 4 seconds	3
	4.1 to 6 seconds	2
	> 6 seconds	1
	unable	0
put on and remove a jacket	<= 10 seconds	4
	10.1 to 15 seconds	3
	15.1 to 20 seconds	2
	> 20 seconds	1
	unable	0
pick up a penny from the floor	<= 2 seconds	4
	2.1 to 4 seconds	3
	4.1 to 6 seconds	2
	> 6 seconds	1
	unable	0
turn 360 degrees, steps	continuous steps	2
	discontinuous steps	0
turn 360 degrees, steadiness	steady	2
	unsteady (grabs or staggers)	0
50 foot walk test	<= 15 seconds	4
	15.1 to 20 seconds	3
	20.1 to 25 seconds	2
	> 25 seconds	1
	unable	0
time to climb 1 flight of stairs	<= 5 seconds	4
	5.1 to 10 seconds	3
	10.1 to 15 seconds	2
	> 15 seconds	1
	unable	0
climb stairs	able to climb up and down 4 or more flights of stairs	4
	able to climb up and down 3 flights of stairs	3
	able to climb up and down 2 flights of stairs	2
	able to climb up and down 1 flight of stairs	1
	unable to climb any stairs	0

where:

• If the patient feels chest pain, angina or other symptoms during an exertion (especially stair climbing) then the patient should be instructed to stop.

total score for all 9 =

= SUM(points for all 9 items)

score for subset with 7 items =

= SUM(points for first 7 items)

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum total score for all 9 items: 36

• maximum total score for subset of 7 items: 28

• The higher the score, the better the physical function.

Performance:

• The score was found to be reliable, with Cronbach's alpha 0.87 for the 9 item test.

• Interrater reliability was high at 0.99 for the 9 item test.

• The score was shown to have construct and concurrent validity.

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Description

Specialty

Objective

ICD-10

Physical Performance Test for the Elderly Patient

Purpose: To evaluate the physical abilities of an elderly patient using the Physical Performance Test of Reuben et al.

Description

Specialty

Objective

ICD-10