Vitality Index as a useful tool to assess elderly with dementia

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present paper was to establish a new objective scale to measure vitality related to activities of daily living in elderly patients with dementia. Methods: Cross‐sectional and longitudinal observational studies were carried out on patients and residents in long‐term care facilities. Reliability of the scale was examined by determining test–retest reliability, interrater reliability and internal consistency. Validity of the scale was evaluated with respect to criterion validity and predictive validity. Clinical usefulness of the scale was tested by measuring the time taken to perform scoring and evaluating the changes in the score before and after behavioral therapy for functional urinary incontinence. Results: The test–retest correlation coefficient was 0.98. Mean kappa coefficient of Vitality Index was 0.63. Interrater coefficient of variation was 0.14. Cronbach α of the Index was 0.88. Vitality Index was negatively correlated with Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) ( P < 0.01). A low score was an independent risk factor for survival. Behavioral therapy for functional urinary incontinence increased Activities of Daily Living (ADL) ( P < 0.05) and Vitality Index ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitality Index could be a new tool to assess patients with dementia.