Physical performance evaluation of older cancer patients: A preliminary study

Performance status measures can provide clinical incite into understanding patients who are at risk for falls.PurposeThis preliminary, prospective study is to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Timed Up & Go instrument and the Simmonds Performance Test Battery in older cancer patients with falls as the outcome measure.MethodsThe Timed Up & Go instrument, fall assessment and the Simmonds Performance Test Battery were administered.ResultsAge range was 68–83 years. Participants (n = 20) who reported Falls Within a Year were 65% (n = 13), 79% (n = 15) reported Falls Within Three Months, and 60% (n = 12) reported Falls Since Cancer Diagnosis. The questions of Falls Within One Year and Falls Within Three Months had equal area under the curve at .85.ConclusionThe sensitivity and specificity of the fall assessment questions of Falls Within One Year and Falls Within Three Months were found to be equal when using the Timed Up & Go as an outcome measure. The Timed Up & Go instrument was found to have more robust sensitivity and specificity levels as compared to the Simmonds performance status battery.