ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the validity of a function assessing tool based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health′s (ICF′s) rehabilitation set in assessing aging-related disability.Methods:A total of 1610 elderly people from 15 nursing homes across China were assessed using the tool based on the ICF′s rehabilitation set and with the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12). The structural validity of the responses was analyzed using factor analysis, and criterion-related validity was also evaluated.Results:The factor analysis yielded three factors with eigenvalues greater than 1. Their cumulative explanatory power was 74.4%. Item d550 eating had double loading in the factor analysis. The item scores and the total scores of the disability assessment tool were significantly negatively correlated with the physiological function domain scores and the psychological function domain scores.Conclusion:The function assessment tool based on the ICF′s rehabilitation set when combined with a numerical rating scale has good structural and criterion-related validity in the assessment of disability due to aging.