Stability of physical assessment of older drivers over 1 year |
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Authors: | Andrew Smith,Shawn Marshall,Michelle Porter,Linda Ha,Michel Bé dard,Isabelle Gé linas,Malcolm Man-Son-Hing,Barbara Mazer,Mark Rapoport,Holly Tuokko,Brenda Vrkljan |
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Affiliation: | 1. Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont., Canada;2. Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man., Canada;3. Centre for Research on Safe Driving, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ont., Canada;4. School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada;5. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada;6. Centre on Aging, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada;g School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada |
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Abstract: | Older adults represent the fastest-growing population of drivers with a valid driver's licence. Also common in this age group are multiple chronic medical conditions that may have an effect on physical function and driving ability. Determining the reliability of physical measures used to assess older drivers’ functional ability is important to identifying those who are safe to continue driving. Most previous reliability studies of clinical physical measures of health used test–retest intervals shorter than those between patient visits with a clinician. In the present study we examined a more clinically representative interval of 1 year to determine the stability of commonly used physical measures collected during the Candrive II prospective cohort study of older drivers. Reliability statistics indicate that the sequential finger–thumb opposition, rapid pace walk and the Pelli–Robson contrast sensitivity tests have adequate stability over 1 year. Poor stability was observed for the one-legged stance and Snellen visual acuity test. Several assessments with nominal data (Marottoli method [functional neck range of motion], whispered voice test, range of motion and strength testing) lacked sufficient variability to conduct reliability analyses; however, a lack of variability between test days suggests consistency over a 1-year time frame. Our results provide evidence that specific physical measures are stable in monitoring functional ability over the course of a year. |
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Keywords: | Physical measures Older drivers Stability |
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