Psychometric properties of the MOBITEC-GP mobile application for real-life mobility assessment in older adults

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) 2022-11, Vol.48, p.280-286
• Main Authors: Giannouli, Eleftheria, Kim, Eun-Kyeong, Fu, Cheng, Weibel, Robert, Sofios, Alexandros, Infanger, Denis, Portegijs, Erja, Rantanen, Taina, Huang, Haosheng, Schmidt-Trucksäss, Arno, Zeller, Andreas, Rössler, Roland, Hinrichs, Timo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: activity space; Aged; aging; Female; Gait; gait speed; geographic information systems; Humans; inertial sensors; Male; Mobile Applications; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; smartphone; Walking; Walking Speed
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.10.017

•Early detection of mobility impairments allows the timely delivery of interventions•The MOBITEC-GP app computes six life-space measures as well as walking speed•The app is a reliable and valid tool for mobility assessment of older adults Aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the life-space measures and walking speed delivered by the MOBITEC-GP app. Participants underwent several supervised walking speed assessments as well as a 1-week life-space assessment during two assessment sessions 9 days apart. Fifty-seven older adults (47.4% male, mean age= 75.3 (±5.9) years) were included in the study. The MOBITEC-GP app showed moderate to excellent test-retest reliability (ICCs between 0.584 and 0.920) and validity (ICCs between 0.468 and 0.950) of walking speed measurements of 50 meters and above and of most 1-week life-space parameters, including life-space area, time spent out-of-home, and action range. The MOBITEC-GP app for Android is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of real-life walking speed (at distances of 50 metres and above) and life-space parameters of older adults. Future studies should look into technical issues more systematically in order to avoid invalid measurements.