Survey of Trends of Use of Assessment Indices for Community-dwelling Elderly in Physical Therapy Research in Japan

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the trends in the use of assessment indices for the community-dwelling elderly in physical therapy research in Japan. [Subjects and Methods] The assessment indices used for the community-dwelling elderly and the frequency of their appearances in the academic journals, Rigakuryoho Kagaku and Physical Therapy Japan, in the 3 years from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2014 were surveyed. [Results] Assessment indices such as the timed up-and-go test and physical frailty test which are recommended in the Physical Therapy Practice Guideline occupied the top rankings. The assessment indices identified in this survey had reliability and validity, and many used interval or proportional scales. [Conclusion] Based on these results, we would like to investigate which assessment indices are useful in community physical therapy.