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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Reliability and validity of the German translation of the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) performed by physiotherapists in patients admitted to a sub-acute inpatient geriatric rehabilitation hospital

Authors: Tobias Braun, Ralf-Joachim Schulz, Julia Reinke, Nico L van Meeteren, Natalie A de Morton, Megan Davidson, Christian Thiel, Christian Grüneberg

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Mobility is a key outcome in geriatric rehabilitation. The de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) is an internationally well-established, unidimensional measure of mobility with good psychometric properties. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and construct validity of the German translation of the DEMMI in geriatric inpatients.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included patients admitted to a sub-acute inpatient geriatric rehabilitation hospital (reliability sample: N = 33; validity sample: N = 107). Reliability, validity, and unidimensionality were investigated.

Results

Inter-rater reliability between two graduate physiotherapists was excellent, with intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.94 (95% confidence interval: 0.88-0.97). The minimal detectable change with 90% confidence was 9 points. Construct validity for the DEMMI was evidenced by significant moderate to strong correlations with other measures of mobility and related constructs (Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment: rho = 0.89; Functional Ambulation Categories: rho = 0.70; six-minute walk test: rho = 0.73; gait speed: rho = 0.67; Falls Efficacy Scale International: rho = −0.68). Known-groups validity was indicated by significant DEMMI mean group differences between independent versus dependent walkers and walking aid users versus non-users. Unidimensionality of the German DEMMI translation was confirmed by Rasch analysis.

Conclusions

The German translation of the DEMMI is a unidimensional instrument producing valid and reproducible measurement of mobility in an inpatient geriatric rehabilitation setting.
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Metadata
Title
Reliability and validity of the German translation of the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) performed by physiotherapists in patients admitted to a sub-acute inpatient geriatric rehabilitation hospital
Authors
Tobias Braun
Ralf-Joachim Schulz
Julia Reinke
Nico L van Meeteren
Natalie A de Morton
Megan Davidson
Christian Thiel
Christian Grüneberg
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-015-0035-y

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