Reliability and Validity of Persian Version of Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) in Community-Dwelling Iranian Older Adults

Objectives: Clinicians require an appropriate and accurate assessment tool, which can predict the risk of falling in older adults. This study aimed to investigate construct validity, factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest and inter-rater reliability, floor and ceiling effect of Persian version of Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) in community-dwelling elderly. Methods: One hundred and forty-five older adults aged 65 years and older (by mean age of 73.68 years) were recruited from daily care centers of Tehran by convenience sampling method. Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to investigate construct validity of the POMA. Test-retest (7-14 days with interval) and inter-rater reliability of gait and balance subscales and total score of the POMA was determined by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC(2,1)). Results: Moderate to very high correlation (r=0.67-0.9, p≤0.05) was found between total score of the POMA and BBS, Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB), step test (right and left), TUG, DGI, and walking speed, while the correlation between the total score of the POMA and step length was weak (r=0.39, p≤0.05). The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed poor goodness-of-fit of POMA with two-factor model (balance and gait) in community-dwelling elderly. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.94), test-retest reliability (ICC(2,1)=0.97) as well as inter-rater reliability (ICC(2,1)=0.92) of the POMA were excellent. The results revealed no floor effect for total score of the POMA, but ceiling effect was 3.44%. Discussion: Persian version of POMA showed excellent psychometric properties for evaluating different aspects of balance in community-dwelling elderly.