Volume 12, Issue 1 (Spring- In press 2026)
J Health Res Commun 2026, 12(1): 0-0 |
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Taheri R, Saki F, Ramezani F. Identification and Classification of Health Assessment Instruments for Older Adults: A Scoping Review. J Health Res Commun 2026; 12 (1)
URL: http://jhc.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-1226-en.html
URL: http://jhc.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-1226-en.html
Department of Exercise Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sports Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
Abstract: (24 Views)
Introduction and purpose: With the rapid growth of the global older adult population and projections exceeding two billion by 2050, comprehensive health assessment has become increasingly important. This scoping review aimed to identify and classify validated health assessment instruments across five key domains in older adults: physical activity, physical function, social function, cognitive and emotional function, and well-being.
Methods: This study followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, building on the Arksey and O’Malley framework for scoping reviews, and was reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, IranDoc, and Magiran for studies published between 1991 and January 2025. English- or Persian-language studies addressing the development or evaluation of quantitative health assessment instruments for older adults (age ≥60 years) were included. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers.
Results: A total of 72 eligible studies were identified. Cognitive and emotional function was the most frequently assessed domain (26 instruments), followed by physical function (22 instruments), well-being (11 instruments), physical activity (7 instruments), and social function (6 instruments). Most studies reported reliability, whereas reporting of construct or criterion validity was limited.
Conclusion: This scoping review provides a relatively comprehensive mapping of health assessment instruments used for older adults across five key domains. Although most studies reported some form of reliability, information on validity, cross‑cultural adaptation, and applicability to specific subgroups of older adults was often limited. These gaps highlight the need for further research to strengthen psychometric evidence, develop culturally adapted tools, and expand multidimensional instruments.
Methods: This study followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, building on the Arksey and O’Malley framework for scoping reviews, and was reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, IranDoc, and Magiran for studies published between 1991 and January 2025. English- or Persian-language studies addressing the development or evaluation of quantitative health assessment instruments for older adults (age ≥60 years) were included. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers.
Results: A total of 72 eligible studies were identified. Cognitive and emotional function was the most frequently assessed domain (26 instruments), followed by physical function (22 instruments), well-being (11 instruments), physical activity (7 instruments), and social function (6 instruments). Most studies reported reliability, whereas reporting of construct or criterion validity was limited.
Conclusion: This scoping review provides a relatively comprehensive mapping of health assessment instruments used for older adults across five key domains. Although most studies reported some form of reliability, information on validity, cross‑cultural adaptation, and applicability to specific subgroups of older adults was often limited. These gaps highlight the need for further research to strengthen psychometric evidence, develop culturally adapted tools, and expand multidimensional instruments.
Keywords: Elderly, Assessment Tools, Physical Activity, Psychometrics, Validation Studies, Functional Assessment
Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Geriatric Medicine
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