[The Lübeck Scale of Basic Mobility : Assessment of geriatric patients with severely impaired mobility].

Background: In the geriatric assessment of mobility, the timed up and go (TUG) test is often used; however, many inpatients are unable to master this test. The Lübeck Scale of Basic Mobility (LSBM) was developed as a performance test for this target group.

Objective: The study investigated the properties of the 7‑task LSBM, which has a scaling at item level based on the 5‑level assessment of impairments according to the ICF.

Material And Methods: In 77 patients who had not mastered the TUG test at acute geriatric hospital admission, the LSBM was completed at intervals of 7-18 days (t, t), including one rating by 2 investigators. For convergent validity, the De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) was used.

Results: The LSBM score and DEMMI score were highly correlated (-0.880, p < 0.001). A floor effect did not occur with LSBM and occurred with DEMMI in 5 patients (6.5%). The predictive validity for predicting coping with TUG test at discharge based on the sum score at t was -0.577 for the LSBM, and 0.542 for the DEMMI (Spearman's correlation, p = 0.001). The interrater reliability of the LSBM was 0.983 (p < 0.001), the correlation between test and retest was 0.836 (p < 0.001) and the internal consistency via Cronbach's α was 0.876. The effect size as a measure of change sensitivity was Cohen's d 0.711.

Conclusion: The LSBM facilitates treatment goal setting and allows standardized documentation of even small improvements and deteriorations in patients with reduced basic mobility.