scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Journal ArticleDOI

Studies of illness in the aged. the index of adl: a standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function.

21 Sep 1963-JAMA (American Medical Association)-Vol. 185, Iss: 12, pp 914-919
TL;DR: The Index of ADL as discussed by the authors was developed to study results of treatment and prognosis in the elderly and chronically ill. Grades of the Index summarize over-all performance in bathing, dressing, going to toilet, transferring, continence, and feeding.
Abstract: The Index of ADL was developed to study results of treatment and prognosis in the elderly and chronically ill. Grades of the Index summarize over-all performance in bathing, dressing, going to toilet, transferring, continence, and feeding. More than 2,000 evaluations of 1,001 individuals demonstrated use of the Index as a survey instrument, as an objective guide to the course of chronic illness, as a tool for studying the aging process, and as an aid in rehabilitation teaching. Of theoretical interest is the observation that the order of recovery of Index functions in disabled patients is remarkably similar to the order of development of primary functions in children. This parallelism, and similarity to the behavior of primitive peoples, suggests that the Index is based on primary biological and psychosocial function, reflecting the adequacy of organized neurological and locomotor response.
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The criteria proposed are intended to serve as a guide for the diagnosis of probable, possible, and definite Alzheimer's disease; these criteria will be revised as more definitive information becomes available.
Abstract: Clinical criteria for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease include insidious onset and progressive impairment of memory and other cognitive functions. There are no motor, sensory, or coordination deficits early in the disease. The diagnosis cannot be determined by laboratory tests. These tests are important primarily in identifying other possible causes of dementia that must be excluded before the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease may be made with confidence. Neuropsychological tests provide confirmatory evidence of the diagnosis of dementia and help to assess the course and response to therapy. The criteria proposed are intended to serve as a guide for the diagnosis of probable, possible, and definite Alzheimer's disease; these criteria will be revised as more definitive information become available.

26,847 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is presented that performance measures can validly characterize older persons across a broad spectrum of lower extremity function and that performance and self-report measures may complement each other in providing useful information about functional status.
Abstract: Background A short battery of physical performance tests was used to assess lower extremity function in more than 5,000 persons age 71 years and older in three communities. Methods Balance, gait, strength, and endurance were evaluated by examining ability to stand with the feet together in the side-by-side, semi-tandem, and tandem positions, time to walk 8 feet, and time to rise from a chair and return to the seated position 5 times. Results A wide distribution of performance was observed for each test. Each test and a summary performance scale, created by summing categorical rankings of performance on each test, were strongly associated with self-report of disability. Both self-report items and performance tests were independent predictors of short-term mortality and nursing home admission in multivariate analyses. However, evidence is presented that the performance tests provide information not available from self-report items. Of particular importance is the finding that in those at the high end of the functional spectrum, who reported almost no disability, the performance test scores distinguished a gradient of risk for mortality and nursing home admission. Additionally, within subgroups with identical self-report profiles, there were systematic differences in physical performance related to age and sex. Conclusion This study provides evidence that performance measures can validly characterize older persons across a broad spectrum of lower extremity function. Performance and self-report measures may complement each other in providing useful information about functional status.

7,417 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), a behaviorally based measure of health status, and evaluated its reliability and validity using multitrait-multimethod technique.
Abstract: The final development of the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), a behaviorally based measure of health status, is presented. A large field trial on a random sample of prepaid group practice enrollees and smaller trials on samples of patients with hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and hip replacements were undertaken to assess reliability and validity of the SIP and provide data for category and item analyses. Test-retest reliability (r = 0.92) and internal consistency (r - 0.94) were high. Convergent and discriminant validity was evaluated using the multitrait--multimethod technique. Clinical validity was assessed by determining the relationship between clinical measures of disease and the SIP scores. The relationship between the SIP and criterion measures were moderate to high and in the direction hypothesized. A technique for describing and assessing similarities and differences among groups was developed using profile and pattern analysis. The final SIP contains 136 items in 12 categories. Overall, category, and dimension scores may be calculated.

4,283 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A structure for representation of patient outcome is presented, together with a method for outcome measurement and validation of the technique in rheumatoid arthritis, and these techniques appear extremely useful for evaluation of long term outcome of patients with rheumatic diseases.
Abstract: A structure for representation of patient outcome is presented, together with a method for outcome measurement and validation of the technique in rheumatoid arthritis. The paradigm represents outcome by five separate dimensions: death, discomfort, disability, drug (therapeutic) toxicity, and dollar cost. Each dimension represents an outcome directly related to patient welfare. Quantitation of these outcome dimensions may be performed at interview or by patient questionnaire. With standardized, validated questions, similar scores are achieved by both methods. The questionnaire technique is preferred since it is inexpensive and does not require interobserver validation. These techniques appear extremely useful for evaluation of long term outcome of patients with rheumatic diseases.

4,253 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper views caregiver stress as a consequence of a process comprising a number of interrelated conditions, including the socioeconomic characteristics and resources of caregivers and the primary and secondary stressors to which they are exposed.
Abstract: This paper views caregiver stress as a consequence of a process comprising a number of interrelated conditions, including the socioeconomic characteristics and resources of caregivers and the primary and secondary stressors to which they are exposed. Primary stressors are hardships and problems anchored directly in caregiving. Secondary stressors fall into two categories: the strains experienced in roles and activities outside of caregiving, and intrapsychic strains, involving the diminishment of self-concepts. Coping and social support can potentially intervene at multiple points along the stress process.

3,922 citations

References
More filters
Book
01 Jan 1956

554 citations

Book
01 Jan 1934
TL;DR: Murdock as mentioned in this paper described the life of the Haida people as they lived it day-by-day in its framework of material, social and religious organisation, using first-hand knowledge.
Abstract: As an account of ‘primitive’ man intended for the general reader and the student, this book is written on a novel plan. Instead of attempting a generalised account, the author has taken eighteen peoples not all contemporary or primitive in the strict sense and describes their life as they live it day by day in its framework of material, social and religious organisation. It is scarcely necessary to say that the author does not claim first-hand knowledge. His account of the Haida of north-west America, however, has been checked by his own personal field-work. In other instances:his material has been drawn from authoritative descriptions. The bibliography appended to each chapter indicates a critical appreciation by the author of his authorities.Our Primitive Contemporaries.Prof.G. P.MurdockBy. Pp. xxii + 614. (New York: The Maemillan Co., 1934.) 14s.net.

132 citations

Book
Arnold Gesell1
01 Jan 1948

41 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The methodologic importance of the study was discussed, namely, its role in demonstrating the utility of measures of function for critical studies of rehabilitative care.

30 citations