FRAILSURVEY—an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability Study
BackgroundPortugal is facing the challenge of population ageing, with a notable increase in the proportion of older individuals. This has positioned the country among those in Europe with a high prevalence of frailty. Frailty, a geriatric syndrome characterized by diminished...
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JMIR Publications
2025-03-01
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| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e51975 |
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| author | Luis Midao Mafalda Duarte Rute Sampaio Marta Almada Cláudia Camila Dias Constança Paúl Elísio Costa |
| author_facet | Luis Midao Mafalda Duarte Rute Sampaio Marta Almada Cláudia Camila Dias Constança Paúl Elísio Costa |
| author_sort | Luis Midao |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundPortugal is facing the challenge of population ageing, with a notable increase in the proportion of older individuals. This has positioned the country among those in Europe with a high prevalence of frailty. Frailty, a geriatric syndrome characterized by diminished physiological reserve and heightened vulnerability to stressors, imposes a substantial burden on public health.
ObjectiveThis study seeks to address two primary objectives: (1) translation and psychometric evaluation of the European Portuguese version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI); and (2) development and evaluation of the FRAILSURVEY app, a novel assessment tool for frailty based on the GFI. By achieving these objectives, the study aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of frailty assessment in the Portuguese context, ultimately contributing to improved health care outcomes for older individuals in the region.
MethodsTo accomplish the objectives of the study, a comprehensive research methodology was used. The study comprised 2 major phases: the initial translation and validation of the GFI into European Portuguese and the development of the FRAILSURVEY app. Following this, an extensive examination of the app’s validity and reliability was conducted compared with the conventional paper version of the GFI. A randomized repeated crossover design was used to ensure rigorous evaluation of both assessment methods, using both the paper form of the GFI and the smartphone-based app FRAILSURVEY.
ResultsThe findings of the study revealed promising outcomes in line with the research objectives. The meticulous translation process yielded a final version of the GFI with robust psychometric properties, ensuring clarity and comprehensibility for participants. The study included 522 participants, predominantly women (367/522, 70.3%), with a mean age of 73.7 (SD 6.7) years. Psychometric evaluation of the European Portuguese GFI in paper form demonstrates good reliability (internal consistency: Cronbach a value of 0.759; temporal stability: intraclass correlation coefficient=0.974) and construct validity (revealing a 4D structure explaining 56% of variance). Evaluation of the app-based European Portuguese GFI indicates good reliability (interinstrument reliability: Cohen k=0.790; temporal stability: intraclass correlation coefficient=0.800) and concurrent validity (r=0.694; P<.001).
ConclusionsBoth the smartphone-based app and the paper version of the GFI were feasible and acceptable for use. The findings supported that FRAILSURVEY exhibited comparable validity and reliability to its paper counterpart. FRAILSURVEY uses a standardized and validated assessment tool, offering objective and consistent measurements while eliminating subjective biases, enhancing accuracy, and ensuring reliability. This app holds promising potential for aiding health care professionals in identifying frailty in older individuals, enabling early intervention, and improving the management of adverse health outcomes associated with this syndrome. Its integration with electronic health records and other data may lead to personalized interventions, improving frailty management and health outcomes for at-risk individuals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e736a61b91d041fcb6de1db74288b005 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2561-326X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Formative Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-e736a61b91d041fcb6de1db74288b0052025-08-20T02:58:11ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2025-03-019e5197510.2196/51975FRAILSURVEY—an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability StudyLuis Midaohttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1981-2554Mafalda Duartehttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9036-4753Rute Sampaiohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9009-6653Marta Almadahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6575-1698Cláudia Camila Diashttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9356-3272Constança Paúlhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9214-7805Elísio Costahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1158-1480 BackgroundPortugal is facing the challenge of population ageing, with a notable increase in the proportion of older individuals. This has positioned the country among those in Europe with a high prevalence of frailty. Frailty, a geriatric syndrome characterized by diminished physiological reserve and heightened vulnerability to stressors, imposes a substantial burden on public health. ObjectiveThis study seeks to address two primary objectives: (1) translation and psychometric evaluation of the European Portuguese version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI); and (2) development and evaluation of the FRAILSURVEY app, a novel assessment tool for frailty based on the GFI. By achieving these objectives, the study aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of frailty assessment in the Portuguese context, ultimately contributing to improved health care outcomes for older individuals in the region. MethodsTo accomplish the objectives of the study, a comprehensive research methodology was used. The study comprised 2 major phases: the initial translation and validation of the GFI into European Portuguese and the development of the FRAILSURVEY app. Following this, an extensive examination of the app’s validity and reliability was conducted compared with the conventional paper version of the GFI. A randomized repeated crossover design was used to ensure rigorous evaluation of both assessment methods, using both the paper form of the GFI and the smartphone-based app FRAILSURVEY. ResultsThe findings of the study revealed promising outcomes in line with the research objectives. The meticulous translation process yielded a final version of the GFI with robust psychometric properties, ensuring clarity and comprehensibility for participants. The study included 522 participants, predominantly women (367/522, 70.3%), with a mean age of 73.7 (SD 6.7) years. Psychometric evaluation of the European Portuguese GFI in paper form demonstrates good reliability (internal consistency: Cronbach a value of 0.759; temporal stability: intraclass correlation coefficient=0.974) and construct validity (revealing a 4D structure explaining 56% of variance). Evaluation of the app-based European Portuguese GFI indicates good reliability (interinstrument reliability: Cohen k=0.790; temporal stability: intraclass correlation coefficient=0.800) and concurrent validity (r=0.694; P<.001). ConclusionsBoth the smartphone-based app and the paper version of the GFI were feasible and acceptable for use. The findings supported that FRAILSURVEY exhibited comparable validity and reliability to its paper counterpart. FRAILSURVEY uses a standardized and validated assessment tool, offering objective and consistent measurements while eliminating subjective biases, enhancing accuracy, and ensuring reliability. This app holds promising potential for aiding health care professionals in identifying frailty in older individuals, enabling early intervention, and improving the management of adverse health outcomes associated with this syndrome. Its integration with electronic health records and other data may lead to personalized interventions, improving frailty management and health outcomes for at-risk individuals.https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e51975 |
| spellingShingle | Luis Midao Mafalda Duarte Rute Sampaio Marta Almada Cláudia Camila Dias Constança Paúl Elísio Costa FRAILSURVEY—an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability Study JMIR Formative Research |
| title | FRAILSURVEY—an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability Study |
| title_full | FRAILSURVEY—an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability Study |
| title_fullStr | FRAILSURVEY—an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | FRAILSURVEY—an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability Study |
| title_short | FRAILSURVEY—an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability Study |
| title_sort | frailsurvey an mhealth app for self assessment of frailty based on the portuguese version of the groningen frailty indicator validation and reliability study |
| url | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e51975 |
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