2010 Volume 47 Issue 2 Pages 153-157
Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the practical value of measurement of lower limb loading force to predict independent transfer ability in elderly patients with impairments.
Methods: The subjects were 83 elderly patients with impairments (34 men and 49 women aged 79.9±6.1 [mean±SD]) . Their level of independent transfer ability was classified into 3 groups based on Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores. The lower limb loading force was measured in both lower limbs at the same time, and converted to body weight ratio as a percentage. We compared it with the level of independent transfer ability as a factor in a one-way analysis of variance and multiple comparison test, and examined it with independent and non-independent transfer ability using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results: A statistically significant effect was found in the level of independent transfer ability, and also in transfer ability among all groups. On examining the ROC curve, the area under the curve was 0.84, and a cut-off value of 52.6% had a strong sensitivity for independence (77%) and specificity (81%). With in that cut-off value, the positive predictive value was 71%, the negative predictive value was 86%, and the accuracy of diagnosis was 80%.
Conclusion: This study suggests that the lower limb loading force in elderly patients with impairments reflects closely the level of transfer ability, and independent or non-independent transfer ability can be accurately predicted.
