Validation of the PASE in older adults with knee pain and physical disability

Purpose: To examine the validity of the Physical Activity Scale for the Eld erly (PASE) among individuals with disability. Methods: A sample of 471 par ticipants (mean age = 71.36) in an epidemiological study of chronic knee pa in completed the PASE and self-report measures of knee pain, perceived phys ical function, satisfaction with physical function, and importance of physi cal function. A 6-min walk test and an isokinetic assessment of knee streng th were also administered. Results: PASE scores were significantly correlat ed in expected directions with performance on the 6-min walk, knee strength , frequency of knee pain during transfer, and perceived difficulty with phy sical functioning. Gender and age were identified as significant moderators of PASE scores and the scale's construct validity was supported by testing a conceptually driven hypothesis regarding patterns of physical activity. Conclusions: These results support the PASE`s validity for the assessment o f physical activity among older adults with pain and disability.