Date Approved

1998

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Physical Therapy (M.S.)

Degree Program

Physical Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of a modified version of the Functional Reach (PR) to more accurately predict falls in elderly women. This modified version, the Lateral Functional Reach (LFR) incorporates dynamic balance testing in the scapular plane.

Fifty female volunteers were recruited from a Senior Center in Holland, Michigan. Each subject completed the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the FR, and the LFR tests. Prior to testing, each subject was screened for depression, cognition and gross medical history.

Validity and reliability of the LFR was determined through correlational and test-retest analysis. The correlation coefficient of the LFR with the BBS was, rs=0.5243 (p< .05). The correlation coefficient of the FR with the BBS was rs=0.5299 (p< .05). The correlation coefficient of the LFR with the FR was rp=0.7106 (p< .05) and rs=0.6826 (p< .05). Test-retest reliability for the LFR using the right hand was rp=0.4584 (p< .05).

Comments

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