Association between knee extension strength and extent of assistance required for toileting, and the cut-off value of knee extension strength for determining the need for partial assistance during toilet in residents of geriatric health services facility

Abstract

Objective: We examined whether the extent of assistance required for the residents of the geriatric health services facility to use toilets was associated with knee extension strength (KES) and determined the cut-off value of KES needed to enable partial assistance during the use of toilet.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were divided into two groups depending on the extent of assistance needed for using the toilet, as measured by Barthel Index (the partial assistance group and the complete assistance group). We examined whether KES was associated with the extent of assistance provided and investigated the cut-off value of KES for which toilets could be used with partial assistance.

Results: In total, 117 participants (82 in the partial assistance group and 35 in the complete assistance group) were included. In the partial assistance group, KES was higher than in the complete assistance group. The cut-off value of KES for partial assistance required while using the toilet was 0.16 kgf/kg. Multivariable-adjusted logistic analysis showed that KES was significantly associated with the extent of assistance needed after adjustment for confounders.

Conclusion: KES was associated with the extent of assistance required for residents of the geriatric health services facility and the cut-off value of KES for partial assistance was 0.16 kgf/kg. Our results suggest that strengthening KES to the point of this cut-off value may reduce the level of assistance required while using the toilet.