Translation and validation of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly in Filipino community-dwelling older adult fallers and non-fallers

ABSTRACT

Background@#Increased falls rate in older adults may be due to a declining level of physical activity. However, there is currently no local assessment tool to assess the physical activity of older adults in the Philippines. @*Purpose@#The objectives of the study were to: (1) translate the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) in Filipino (PASE-F); (2) establish the validity and equivalency of PASE-F version; and (3) determine the association between physical activity level and fall history in older adults living in the community.@*Methods@#Standard translation procedure was followed. Qualitative analysis and appropriate revisions were done based on the comments of three health professionals in geriatric care. Equivalency was analyzed using two-sample t-test with equal variances, and Spearman Rho. The association of physical activity with fall history was established using simple logistic regression.@*Results@#310 (62.3% females) community-dwelling older adults, with mean age 68 ±6.5, from Manila, Philippines participated. The validated PASE-F and the original PASE were equivalent with a p-value of 0.84, and Spearman’s Rho of >0.05. No significant association was found between PASE-F scores and fall history, p-value = 0.16, 95% CI [1, 1.004]. Fallers show non-significantly higher PASE-F scores compared to non-fallers.@*Conclusion@#PASE-F is a valid and equivalent translation of the original PASE. However, obtained PASE-F scores did not show association with a history of falls. Prospective studies may be done to determine the predictive value of PASE-F scores in the incidence of falls.