Purpose: A new instrument measuring leisure time physical activity (LTPAI) in populations predominately engaging in low intensity activities and a new instrument measuring the Physical Activity at Home and Work (PAHWI) were designed.
Methods: Patients with long-lasting pain and expert physiotherapists participated in the development of the two instruments. Test-retest reliability was evaluated for the LTPAI and the PAHWI. Construct validity was evaluated for the LTPAI by comparing it with an instrument measuring physical activities for older people, six-minute walk test and aerobic capacity.
Population: 37 women with FM, with the mean age of 46 years (SD 8.4) and mean symptom duration of 11 years (SD 5.9) were recruited to the study.
Results: The mean time that the study population spent in physical activities during leisure time was 5.2 hours (SD 4.0) a week. Satisfactory test-retest reliability was found for the total score of LTPAI (ICC 0.86, CI 0.79 - 0.93) and for the PAHWI (ICC 0.91, CI 0.82 - 9.96). A significant association between the LTPAI and the six-minute walk test (rs 0.40, p = 0.02) and another physical activity instrument (rs 0.39, p = 0.02) was found. As expected, LTPAI did not have any association with aerobic capacity.
Conclusions: Face validity of the instruments was ensured during the development process. Satisfactory test-retest reliability was found for the LTPAI and the PAHWI. Significant but low associations were found between the LTPAI and the six-minute walk test and an instrument designed for older people, respectively, while no association was found between the LTPAI and aerobic capacity.