Evaluation of the disability assessment Longshi scale: A multicenter study

OBJECTIVE: We investigated factors affecting the disability assessment Longshi scale, and differences between the Longshi and Barthel scales, as well as modified Rankin scale (mRS), to determine whether the Longshi scale is superior to the other scales. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 721 participants with disability. We performed the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation test, and multiple linear regression to analyze group differences and define explanatory variables. RESULTS: The Longshi scale had a strong positive correlation with the Barthel scale (r = 0.868) but a weak negative correlation with the mRS (r = –0.185). Scores obtained among seven study hospitals in two provinces of southeast China were significantly different (F = 8.034). Social activities of participants with disability can be positively predicted using the Longshi (β = 0.251) and Barthel scales (β = 0.276). However, age has a weak negative correlation with the Longshi scale (r = –0.163). CONCLUSION: Training did not cause significant variations in assessment using the Longshi scale. However, the results differed among different regions. The Longshi scale showed a strong correlation with the Barthel scale but a weak correlation with the mRS. Assessment time was shorter using the Longshi scale and the scale can be used to predict the social activities of individuals with disability.