2015 Volume 42 Issue 6 Pages 494-502
Purpose: The objectives of the current study were to investigate predictors of a short-term change in life-space, and to determine the diagnostic characteristics of the model among older outpatients in rehabilitation facilities. Method: A total of 82 subjects aged 60 or older took part in this study. A poor outcome was defined as deterioration or a constant low state in life-space, determined by life-space assessment measured at baseline and at a 5-month follow-up, respectively. Independent variables were a series of measurements, including physical and psychosocial functioning, comorbidities, exercise capacity, and demographic factors. A hierarchical binominal logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify independent predictors, with age, sex, body mass index, previous intervention period before baseline, and number of individual therapies entered as confounders. Finally, diagnostic properties were computed using a life-space change prediction model. Results: A low self-efficacy and grip strength were significant predictors of short-term deterioration/constant low state in life-space among the studied population. The sensitivity of this model was 82.6%, specificity 72.2%, positive likelihood ratio 2.97, and negative likelihood ratio 0.24. Conclusion: The results indicate that grip strength and self-efficacy predict a short-term change in life-space among non-active older out-patients in rehabilitation facilities.
