The „Short Physical Performance Battery“ in the Czech Republic - The pilot and validation study in older persons
Abstract
Population ageing increases number of seniors with decline of physical capabilities and functional deficits. Targeted interventions to maintain or increase physical performance are most effective before the development of full frailty, in so-called "prefrail" period.
One of the assessment tools for evaluation of the physical performance and/ or frailty in older persons is the "Short Physical Performance Battery" - SPPB. The aim of the study was to introduce the assessment battery to clinical practice in the CR and to evaluate its selected psychometric properties.Original English SPPB was translated into Czech language and back translated to ensure linguistic accuracy.
SPPB was applied in the selected sample of older persons and validated against other performance tools for cognition, self- care and nutrition status used in CR and selected psychometric properties evaluated. We confirmed significant correlations between SPPB and self care activities, cognitive performance and nutritional status and good internal consistency of the battery.
SPPB test is simple, easy to perform, with low time and cost requirements. It could be recommended for clinical practice in both community and hospitalized older patients to evaluate their overall physical performance and identify persons at risk of frailty and disability who may profit from targeted interventions.