Life‐Space Assessment questionnaire: Novel measurement properties for Brazilian community‐dwelling older adults

Aim The Life‐Space Assessment (LSA) assesses mobility from the spaces that older adults go, and how often and how independent they move. Despite its increased use, LSA measurement properties remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to analyze the content validity, reliability, construct validity and interpretability of the LSA for Brazilian community‐dwelling older adults. Methods In this clinimetric study we analyzed the measurement properties (content validity, reliability, construct validity and interpretability) of the LSA administered to 80 Brazilian community‐dwelling older adults. Reliability was analyzed by Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency), intraclass correlation coefficients and 95% confidence interval (reproducibility), and standard error of measurement (measurement error). Construct validity was analyzed by Pearson's correlations between the LSA and accelerometry (time in inactivity and moderate‐to‐vigorous activities), and interpretability was analyzed by determination of the minimal detectable change, and floor and ceiling effects. Results The LSA met the criteria for content validity. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.92, intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.95–0.98) and standard error of measurement was 4.12. The LSA showed convergence with accelerometry (negative correlation with time in inactivity and positive correlation with time in moderate to vigorous activities), the minimal detectable change was 0.36 and we observed no floor or ceiling effects. Conclusions The LSA showed adequate reliability, validity and interpretability for life‐space mobility assessment of Brazilian community‐dwelling older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 783–789