Measuring the impact of increased exercise on quality of life in older adults: the UQQoL, a new instrument

Abstract

The University of Queensland Quality of Life instrument (UQQoL) was developed to provide a quantitative measure sensitive to the impact of increased exercise on the quality of life (QoL) of older individuals. This paper describes the development and testing of the UQQoL including an exploratory study of focus group interviews with 18 participants aged 65 and over, item development and selection, and instrument piloting with groups of older adults undergoing high-intensity training. The SF-36, another established QoL tool, was also administered at the same time points for comparative purposes. The UQQoL displayed good convergent validity with selected SF-36 domains. A significant change in QoL following training was found, complementing functional improvements. This change was not detected by the SF-36. While broader testing is required, the UQQoL appears to be a reliable instrument sensitive to the change in QoL experienced by healthy community-dwelling older adults following resistance exercise.

Well-Being Through Song: A Biopsychosocial Examination of Singing in Community Dwelling Older Adults

“…A perfect correlation (r = 1) was found between the total score and mean score. The UQQoL has demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α = .72; Henwood & Bartlett, 2008). In the present study, the scale demonstrated good internal consistency (α = .80).…”

“…The scale has also shown good convergent validity when compared with another well-validated measure of health related quality of life, the Medical Outcome Survey Short Form (MOS SF-36; Ware & Sherbourne, 1992). Specifically, the UQQoL summary score was found to correlate strongly with domains of the MOS SF-36 reflecting physical and functional health (Henwood & Bartlett, 2008). Moreover, while the MOS SF-36 can be problematic because of frequent ceiling effects, the UQQoL summary scale was found to be "well within an acceptable floor and ceiling range" (Henwood & Bartlett, 2008, p. 246).…”

“…Moreover, while the MOS SF-36 can be problematic because of frequent ceiling effects, the UQQoL summary scale was found to be "well within an acceptable floor and ceiling range" (Henwood & Bartlett, 2008, p. 246). While some other widely used measures of quality of life such as the World Health Organization Quality of Life instruments (WHOQOL: OLD, BREF & 100) assess social, psychological, and environmental factors, there is often little attention to physical factors (Henwood & Bartlett, 2008). The UQQoL was designed with a focus on physical wellbeing and was created specifically for use with community dwelling older adults, which makes it ideal for the present study.…”

Physical activity‐related quality of life in breast cancer survivors compared to healthy women

“…General quality of life tools include items related to physical activity, but also include disease or general health-related items that may selectively affect clinical populations experiencing physical and social difficulties due to disease states. In fact, in at least one study the SF-36 has been found to lack sensitivity to exercise-related changes in quality of life (Henwood & Bartlett, 2008). By comparison, the VPS contains only questions related to the benefits of physical activity.…”

Perception and Responses to Different Forms of Aqua-Based Exercise Among Older Adults With Osteoarthritis

“…Not surprisingly, the majority of adults 65 years and older with OA typically have not met the public health recommendations for type, quantity and quality of physical activity (Fontaine, Heo, & Bathon, 2004). These lower levels of physical activity are associated with a loss of muscular strength, endurance, and balance, which together contributes to an increased risk of falls and lower perceived quality of life (Henwood & Bartlett, 2008). Consequently, older adults with OA are particularly susceptible to greater than age-related reductions in muscle strength, functional ability, balance, increased rates of co-morbidities and associated declines in independence and perceived quality of life.…”