Translation and validation of the Revised-Algase Wandering Scale (community version) among Korean elders with dementia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a Korean translated version of the Revised Algase Wandering Scale, community version (K-RAWS-CV) among persons with dementia in Korea. A cross-sectional survey design was used. After established equivalence of the instrument using back-translation and a field test, 69 community dwelling family caregivers described the wandering behavior of their family members with dementia. The overall mean of the K-RAWS-CV was 1.73 (SD = 0.61, range = 1–3.87). Means of each subscale ranged from 1.44 (meal-time impulsivity, MI) to 2.04 (escape behavior, EB). The reliability alpha for the overall scale was 0.96 with reliabilities for subscales ranging from 0.82 (negative outcome, NO) to 0.93 (persistent walking, PW). The correlation between the overall K-RAWS-CV and each subscale ranged from 0.52 (overall and NO) to 0.82 (overall and PW) with a mean value of 0.66. Pearson's correlations between the level of cognitive impairment and each subscale of the K-RAWS-CV demonstrated significant, moderate relationships ranging from −0.24 (MI, RW, and MMSE) to −0.39 (PW, EB and MMSE). Mean differences between wanderers and non-wanderers were statistically significant for the K-RAWS-CV overall and all subscale except for MI. Results support the validity and reliability of the K-RAWS-CV overall and the six subscales.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the Center on Frail and Vulnerable Elders (COFVE), School of Nursing University of Michigan, pilot grant to Dr. Gwi-Ryung Son. The authors also acknowledge Dr. Donna Algase for her comparison of the original and translated versions of the instruments.