Review Article

Definitions of Frailty in Qualitative Research: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Table 3

Quantitative measurement of frailty in qualitative research studies (N = 13).

Author, year; frailty cut pointPhysical performance testsCognition functionMood-self-reportMetricsSelf-report questionnaire

Andreasen et al., 2015; frailty = 5/15TFI: physical domain (feeling healthy, weight loss, vision, hearing, walking, balance, hand strength, tiredness), psychological domain (memory, mood, anxiety, coping), social domain (living alone, social isolation, social support)

Claassens et al., 2014; frailty = 2/6Grip strength, vision, hearingMMSEBMIPhysical activity

Hammar et al., 2014; frailty = 3/8 indicatorsGrip strength, gait speed, balance, visionMMSEEndurance/physical activity, fatigue, weight loss

Jett, 2002; 2003 frailty cut point = one ADL deficitADL and IADL, measurement not specified

Kuo et al., 2012; frailty cut point not specifiedBarthel index for ADL, IADL, grip strength, timed up-and-go test, vision, hearing, paper folding test, spirometryMMSEGDSBMI, waist-hip ratio, body fat compositionIncontinence

Niesten et al., 2012, 2013; slight, moderate, severe frailty based on level of care neededBehavior disorders, psychosocial functionMotor function, mobility, personal care needed, medical care needed, hours of care needed per week; social coping

Porter et al., 1999, 2001; measurement not specifiedInability to walk 10 blocks, need for assistance to climb stairs, need for assistive device to walk

Puts et al., 2007, 2009; frailty = 3/8 indicatorsPeak expiratory flowDepression, CES-DBMIPhysical activity, vision, hearing, incontinence, sense of mastery

Schoenborn et al., 2018; frailty = 3/5 indicatorsHand grip strength, gait speedMMSEPhysical activity, weight loss, exhaustion, health literacy, numeracy, self-reported health status

Note: ADL: activities of daily living (controlling bowel and bladder, grooming, toileting, feeding, transferring, walking, bathing, climbing stairs, and dressing); IADL: instrumental activities of daily living (telephone use, meal prep, money & medication management, light & heavy housekeeping, shopping, and local travel); BMI: body mass index; CES-D: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; MMSE: Mini-Mental State Exam; GDS: Geriatric Depression Scale; TFI: Tilburg Frailty Indicator.