Health measurement using the ICF qualifiers for the elderly with disabilities: A reliability study

• Main Authors: Yi-Ting Lu, 盧意婷
• Other Authors: Shwn-Jen Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/10643996912942248237

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 物理治療暨輔助科技學系 === 99 === Background: The International Classification of Functioning, disability and Health (ICF) published by the World Health Organization (WHO) has been used to comprehensively describe functioning of the elderly with disability. The reliability of ICF and its qualifiers applied on the elderly as a health measurement has not been investigated in Taiwan.Objective: To examine the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of ICF qualifiers, including body function, activity and participation, and environmental factors, on the elderly with disabilities in Taiwan. Methods: An ICF questionnaire, which was based on the ICF checklist, reported with good responsiveness by a previous study on health of the elderly was used in this study. The questionnaire included 50 items for body function, 87 items for activity and participation, and 45 items for environmental factors. Intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability of the ICF questionnaire were assessed with a sample of 96 and 101, respectively with every participant meeting the inclusion criteria. Each participant was interviewed by two of four well-trained interviewers, and then by the same interviewer (one of them) again 1-2 weeks later under their agreement. The reliability of each ICF code was evaluated using weighted kappa statistic with confidence interval and observed agreement. Result: The results showed the mean of weighted kappa and observed agreement of intra-rater reliability on body function, performance and capacity of activity and participation, and environmental factors were 0.821(85.3%), 0.856(79.0%), 0.877(77.2%) and 0.588 (74.9%), respectively. The mean of weighted kappa and observed agreement of inter-rater reliability on body function, performance and capacity ctivity and participation, and environmental factors were 0.696(78.5%), 0.834(62.9%), 0.785(61.8%) and 0.484(64.5%), respectively. Conclusion: The present study showed “almost perfect” intra-rater reliability on body function, capacity and performance in activity and participation, “almost perfect” inter-rater reliability on capacity and performance in activity and participation, moderate inter-rater reliability on body function, and moderate intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability on environmental factors. The improvement can be achieved by developing comprehensive ICF guidelines for each code and qualifier. Clinical relevance: The findings of the current study can provide the reference for the development of ICF-based health related assessment tools for the elderly.