Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Functional Reach: Predictive Validity in a Sample of Elderly Women over a Three Month Period

Authors

Denise A. Monert, Nova Southeastern University

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1998

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

NSUWorks Citation

Denise A. Monert. 1998. Functional Reach: Predictive Validity in a Sample of Elderly Women over a Three Month Period. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (140)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/140.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess predictive validity of the Functional Reach Test in identifying elderly females who are at risk for falls over a three month follow up period.

Subjects: 40 elderly women over the age of 70 volunteered from an adult living facility.

Method: The subjects were tested for Functional Reach and asked to report any incidence of falls over a three month follow up period. Data were analyzed with Discriminant Analysis and Pearson's Correlation Coefficients to investigate the relationship between functional reach and age, fall history, use of assistive devices, height and weight.

Results: Discriminant Analysis revealed no significant predictability for falls among a sample of elderly women, within a three month period, when investigating functional reach, age, height, weight, fall history, and use of assistive devices. A fair degree of relationship existed between age and functional reach (r=.390, p=.013).

Conclusion: The Functional Reach was not predictive of falls among a sample of elderly women over a three month period.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy