A head-to-head comparison of the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) and Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) in an older acute medical population. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Morton, Natalie A.; Nolan, Jo; O'Brien, Michael; Thomas, Susie; Govier, Adam; Sherwell, Karen; Harris, Bruce; Markham, Noel
• Is Part Of: Disability and rehabilitation. Volume 37:Number 20(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1881
• Page End: 1887
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: People with disabilities -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.03
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8288

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Purpose</italic>: To compare the clinimetric properties of the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI®) and the Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS). <italic>Method</italic>: A head-to-head comparison of the EMS and DEMMI® with 120 consecutive older acute medical patients. The DEMMI® and EMS were administered within 48 h of hospital admission and discharge. <italic>Results</italic>: At admission, 6% and 15% of participants scored the lowest scale score for the DEMMI® and EMS, respectively. For the DEMMI®, 17% of participants scored within the minimal detectable change of the lowest scale score compared to 20% for the EMS at admission. At hospital discharge, DEMMI® scores were normally distributed and the EMS had a ceiling effect. Similar evidence of convergent, discriminant and known groups validity were obtained for the DEMMI® and EMS. There was no significant difference in responsiveness to change between the DEMMI® and EMS. The EMS was significantly quicker to administer compared to the DEMMI®. <italic>Conclusion</italic>: The DEMMI® and EMS are both valid measures of mobility for older acute medical patients. The DEMMI® has a broader scale width than the EMS with interval level measurement and therefore provides a more accurate method for measuring and monitoring changes in mobility for older acute medical patients.<list list-type="bullet"><title>Implications for Rehabilitation</title><list-item><p>Mobility of older acute medical patients.</p></list-item><list-item><p>Hospitalised older acute medical patients are at "high risk" of mobility decline.</p></list-item><list-item><p>Accurate measurement of mobility is essential for preventing and treating mobility decline.</p></list-item><list-item><p>Many existing mobility measures have significant measurement limitations.</p></list-item><list-item><p>The DEMMI® is a more accurate measure of mobility than the EMS in an older acute medical population.</p></list-item></list></p> </abstract>