Reviews on assessment instruments

An extension of WP4 of the EUNAAPA project

led by Kerstin Frändin and Elisabeth Rydwik (Sweden)

A survey regarding the knowledge and use of different assessment instruments for older people, such as physical activity, mobility, endurance, balance, muscle strength, overall indexes and ADL, was conducted within the EUNAAPA project during 2007. The survey showed that there was a large discrepancy between countries regarding the knowledge and use of different instruments.  It was also clear that there is a lack of knowledge regarding the quality of the instruments in relation to validity and reliability. Therefore, systematic reviews are being conducted in order to summarize the results of validity and reliability of existing instruments in relation to different groups of older people.

The following areas are currently being evaluated:

Physical activity

Norway, The Netherlands and France are responsible and the article is in the process of being submitted.

Mobility

Sweden and Norway are responsible, all articles have been reviewed and will be analysed and summarized during the spring 2009.

Endurance

Sweden and Norway are responsible, a literature search has been conducted but the review process has not yet started.

Muscle strength

Portugal and Finland are responsible and articles are currently being reviewed.

Overall indexes

The Netherlands and Germany are responsible and have almost finished the review process. A first draft of an article should be ready in May 2009.

ADL instruments

The Netherlands and Germany are responsible and in the process of reading abstracts. A first draft should be ready by the end of the summer 2009.

Balance

A review is currently being undertaken and processed by the PROFANE group and we therefore excluded this subgroup of instruments.

Contact details:

For more information please contact Kerstin Frändin or Elisabeth Rydwik.