Functional ability scales for the elderly: A validation study

Fatigue in older adults: an early indicator of the aging process?

“…These self-report measures have different structures, such as simple global questions on fatigue (35), more complex unidimensional measures on fatigue in relation to daily activities (36) and more complex multidimensional measures of fatigue, including multiple dimensions (e.g., severity, impact) and/or manifestations (physical, cognitive emotional, behavioral) (37). Several validated tools have been developed to measure fatigue, but most of them were developed for screening and assessing clinical outcomes in different patient groups, e.g., patients with cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or brain injury (see 38,39).…”

“…An analysis of the content validity of the scales in the 70-and 75-year survey of the Glostrup population (36,40) and the baseline NORA-study (42) showed that all the questions about mobility and PADL in relation to fatigue were relevant and well-known to nearly all participants. The construct validity of the scales was tested by the Rasch model for item analysis, which showed that the items in both scales had satisfactory homogeneity (36,43,44).…”

“…The construct validity of the scales was tested by the Rasch model for item analysis, which showed that the items in both scales had satisfactory homogeneity (36,43,44). The data have recently been re-analyzed with a new test based on the Rasch model, on the assumption of equal item discrimination -with satisfactory results (45).…”

“…These early signs may manifest themselves as biological and physiological markers, but it is also possible General fatigue, referring to subject's general functioning, with statements such as 'I feel tired' Physical fatigue, bodily sensations directly referring to tiredness, e.g., 'Physically I only feel able to do a little' Reduced activity, a potential consequence of subjective fatigue, e.g., 'I think I do very little in a day' Reduced motivation, reflecting lack of will to start any activity, e.g., 'I dread having to do things' Mental fatigue, referring to cognitive symptoms such as having difficulty in concentration, e.g., 'It takes a lot of effort to concentrate on things' (36,43).…”

Structured home visits to older people. Are they only of benefit for women? A randomised controlled trial

“…Patterns of functional decline vary for men and women (6). No studies have considered that the influence of preventive home visits on functional decline may have gender differences.…”