Article

The GEM scale is an objective assessment tool evaluating walking safety of
elderly individuals. It includes 33 walking items divided into three subscales
(A, B, and C). The purpose of this study was to estimate the internal consistency
and factorial validation of the scale. Seventy-four subjects (> or = 65 years)
recruited from geriatric units were assessed by a total of 11 physical
therapists. The internal consistency data were analyzed by using the Cronbach
alpha coefficient. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to analyze the
factorial structure of the scale and determine the construct validation. The
internal consistency for the three subscales revealed high Cronbach alpha
(subscales A = 0.90; B = 0.76, and C = 0.85). The preliminary analyses of the
factorial validation did not confirm the original structure of the scale. For
subscales A and B, a three-factor solution was supported by the analyses and
explained 61% of the total variance. For subscale C, a four-factor solution was
extracted and explained 87% of the total variance. The three subscales showed
excellent item homogeneity. The factorial validation results support a new
structure for the GEM scale regrouping the items in two sub-scales under
different factors. The reorganization of the walking items into representative
factors will allow a better understanding and interpretation of the scale.

Langue : ANGLAIS