Life-Space Assessment scale to assess mobility: validation in Latin American older women and men.
BACKGROUND
The Life-Space Assessment (LSA) instrument of the University of Alabama and Birmingham study is a useful and innovative measure of mobility in older populations. The purpose of this article was to assess the reliability, construct and convergent validity of the LSA in Latin American older populations.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, a total of 150 women and 150 men, aged 65-74 years, were recruited from seniors' community centers in Manizales, Colombia and Natal, Brazil. The LSA questionnaire summarizes where people travel (5 levels from room to places outside of town), how often and any assistance needed. Four LSA variables were obtained according to the maximum life space achieved and the level of independence. As correlates of LSA, education, perception of income sufficiency, depression, cognitive function, and functional measures (objective and subjectively measured) were explored. The possible modifying effect of the city on correlates of LSA was examined.


RESULTS
Reliability for the composite LSA score was substantial (ICC = 0.70; 95 % CI 0.49-0.83) in Manizales. Average levels of LSA scores were higher in those with better functional performance and those who reported less mobility difficulties. Low levels of education, insufficient income, depressive symptoms, and low scores of cognitive function were all significantly related to lower LSA scores. Women in both cities were more likely to be restricted to their neighborhood and had lower LSA scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence for the validity of LSA in two Latin American populations. Our results suggest that LSA is a good measure of mobility that reflects the interplay of physical functioning with gender and the social and physical environment.
Research Group on Gerontology and Geriatrics, Faculty of Sciences Health, University of Caldas, Carrera 25 N°48-57, Manizales, Colombia, carmen.curcio@ucaldas.edu.co.
Carmen-Lucia
CL
Curcio
Beatriz E
BE
Alvarado
Fernando
F
Gomez
Ricardo
R
Guerra
Jack
J
Guralnik
Maria Victoria
MV
Zunzunegui
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires