https://doi.org/10.24552/00002170 ©青森県立保健大学
Development of a new measuring method using laser range finder for functional reach test
Mamoru Sato1）and Tohru Kawaguchi2）
1）Department of Rehabilitation, Marumero Home Visit Nursing Station Nishitaga
2）Aomori University of Health and Welfare, Graduate School of Health Sciences
（Recieved April 19, 2021; Accepted July 7, 2021）
ABSTRACT
［Objective］The functional reach test has been developed to evaluate dynamic balance in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of a new measuring method using laser range finder for functional reach test.
［Methods］The functional reach distance was measured in three ways, namely, the laser range finder method（LRF）, the measuring instrument method（MI）, and the telescoping rod method（TR）for 67 subjects. When the LRF method was performed, subjects were asked to stand for 2 m, 3 m, or 4 m from a wall. The association between the LRF, MI, and TR methods was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Inter-observer reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Repeated measures analysis of variance（rANOVA）was used to analyze the averages of the reach distances from each measurement method.
［Results］The intraclass correlation for the LRF method was 0.86, that of the MI method was 0.89, and that of the TR method was 0.79. The LRF method and TR method were both strongly associated with the MI method, in wherein the reach distance using the MI method strongly correlated with the distances measured using the LRF and TR methods（r＝0.71, r＝0.75 respectively）. The reach distance using the LRF method was significantly shorter than those of two methods, and that of the TR method was longest of the three methods.
［Conclusions］The LRF method has good validity and reliability; thus, the LRF method could be performed for rehabilitation in the wards or during home visits.
Key words: Functional reach test, laser distance measure, fall prevention, dynamic balance