Screening for mobility disorders by the Mobility Control subscale of the short version of the Sickness Impact Profile.
OBJECTIVE
To test the usefulness of the Mobility Control subscale (MC scale) of the short version of the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP68) as a simple self-administered questionnaire for screening mobility disorders in a population of independent living elderly.


METHODS
The SIP68-MC scale was compared with the results of one functional test as independent criteria.


METHODS
A group of 81 people of 70 years and older was selected from a potential population of over 200 people. All were independent living elderly persons selected from a general practice.


METHODS
The short version of the Sickness Impact Profile and questions about falling last year were applied. Three functional tests were carried out: walking 10 metres, get up and sit down in a chair five times and a test for standing balance. A trained observer rated all tests.


RESULTS
It is shown that the sensitivity of the MC scale (cut-off point: 1) with the total functional score is 91%, with a relative low specificity (59%). The relationship between the SIP-MC score and falling frequency is significant when there is a falling frequency equal to or more than two times a year.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that the MC scale is a useful test for screening mobility disorders in the elderly.
Jannink-Nijlant
J M
JM
Rehabilitation Centre Hoensbroeck, The Netherlands.
Diederiks
J P
JP
Brouwers
M A
MA
Metsemakers
J F
JF
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D016896:Treatment Outcome