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Abstract
Objectives. To evaluate the validity of the late life function and disability instrument (LLFDI) when applied to adults aged 44–65 years with chronic conditions.
Design. We applied a convergent cross-sectional construct validity design to examine the association between the LLFDI subscales and the medical outcomes study (MOS) 36-Item Health Survey Physical Component Score (SF36 PCS), MOS Physical Functioning scale (PF10), 2-minute walk distance (2MWD) and 8-foot walk test (8FWT).
Participants. Our sample consisted of 174 community-dwelling adults age 45–65 years with one or more chronic conditions.
Setting. Participants were enrolled at a multidisciplinary family health practice.
Results. The LLFDI function correlated strongly with the PF10 (r = 0.84) and moderately with the 2MWD (r = 0.53) and 8FWT (r = −0.48). The LLFDI disability limitation correlated moderately with the SF36 PCS, 2MWD and 8FWT (r = 0.67, 0.45, −0.32, respectively). The LLFDI disability frequency correlated moderately with the SF36 PCS, 2MWD and 8FWT (r = 0.44, 0.33, −0.31). Ninety-five percent confidence intervals on all correlation coefficients excluded zero.
Conclusion. Cross-sectional convergent validity of the LLFDI was supported when applied to adults 45–65 years of age with chronic conditions.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the study participants for volunteering their time to participate in the study. The first author is supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis) Strategic Training Program in Rehabilitation Research, the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation/Ontario Rehabilitation Research Advisory Network and a Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation Doctoral Award. The project was partially funded by the Ontario Primary Health Care Transition Fund, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.