physioscience 2025; 21(S 03): S20
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1812393
Abstracts
Präsentationen/Presentations
PS 10

Assessment tool measuring performance in activities of daily living in older adults

Authors

  • K Giacomino

    1   HES-SO Valais-Wallis, School of Health Sciences, Leukerbad, Switzerland

  • J Taeymans

    2   University of Applied Sciences Bern, Department of Health Professions, Division of Physiotherapy, Bern, Switzerland

  • R Hilfiker

    3   Physiotherapie Tschopp & Hilfiker, Independent researcher, Glis, Switzerland

  • M Sattelmayer

    1   HES-SO Valais-Wallis, School of Health Sciences, Leukerbad, Switzerland

  • D Beckwée

    4   Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Rehabilitation Research (RERE) Research Group, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Brussels, Belgium
Further Information
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Background Current tools assessing the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults lack sensitivity to detect changes and are affected by ceiling and floor effects. Furthermore, recall issues hinder accurate reporting of prior ADL performance before hospitalization. Therefore, exploring new methods for assessing ADL performance is essential to objectify a change of state. The study aimed to achieve consensus on the relevance, comprehensibility, and comprehensiveness of tasks and subtasks for evaluating ADL in older adults. The measurement tool should be applicable both as a self-report by patients and through observation by healthcare professionals.

Method A three-round modified Delphi survey was conducted, involving researchers, healthcare professionals, and older adults. Participants were recruited from various care facilities in French-speaking Switzerland, including hospitals, universities, rehabilitation centers, private practices, and home care centers. Tasks or sub-tasks were included if 80% of participants deemed them relevant and excluded if 50% deemed them not relevant. The same criteria applied to the comprehensibility and comprehensiveness of ADL tasks and sub-tasks.

Results Nine tasks were validated. A consensus was achieved on the sub-tasks: 12 for bathing or showering, 13 for dressing, 11 for basic care, 9 for toileting, 5 for continence, 11 for transfers, 11 for eating, 13 for walking, 12 for moving with a wheelchair, and 5 for stairs. In the first round, participants proposed new sub-tasks; six failed to achieve 80% consensus, and three were excluded as not relevant by the end of round three. All sub-tasks were deemed comprehensible, except one. Consensus was reached on the use of all sub-tasks for both self-reported and observed ADL assessments.

Conclusion This study developed a consensus-based set of ADL tasks relevant, comprehensible and suitable for self-report and observation in older adults. The tool provides a promising foundation for more sensitive and nuanced ADL assessment but includes some sub-tasks that may be redundant or not universally applicable. The study did not determine how to manage inapplicable sub-tasks, and no consensus was reached on their use. Future research will address these issues and evaluate the tool's reliability, validity, and responsiveness to ensure broader applicability and effectiveness.



Publication History

Article published online:
23 October 2025

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