Validation of the PASE in older adults with knee pain and physical disability.

Abstract

To examine the validity of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) among individuals with disability. A sample of 471 participants (mean age = 71.36) in an epidemiological study of chronic knee pain completed the PASE and self-report measures of knee pain, perceived physical function, satisfaction with physical function, and importance of physical function. A 6-min walk test and an isokinetic assessment of knee strength were also administered. PASE scores were significantly correlated in expected directions with performance on the 6-min walk, knee strength, frequency of knee pain during transfer, and perceived difficulty with physical functioning. Gender and age were identified as significant moderators of PASE scores and the scale's construct validity was supported by testing a conceptually driven hypothesis regarding patterns of physical activity. These results support the PASE's validity for the assessment of physical activity among older adults with pain and disability.