Psychometric properties testing of a Cantonese version of the Life-Space Assessment in people with stroke

The Life-Space Assessment (LSA) advances measurements of mobility by determining the extent of the spatial area in which a person moves in real life. Yet there is no Cantonese version of the LSA. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the LSA into Cantonese (C-LSA) and examine its psychometric properties in people with stroke. Psychometric properties were examined in 112 people with stroke. The life-space of stroke survivors was compared with that of healthy older people with and without depressive symptoms. The content validity of the C-LSA was good. The Cronbach’s α was 0.73. The test–retest reliability was 0.95. The standard error of measurement was 4.21 and the minimal detectable change was 11.66, without any ceiling or floor effects in the C-LSA composite score. The composite score correlated significantly with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of lower extremities score (r(s) = 0.31), the Five Times Sit-To-Stand time (r(s) = − 0.43), and the Frenchay Activities Index score (r(s) = 0.48). People with stroke had significantly lower C-LSA composite scores than healthy older people. Depressive symptoms worsened the composite and assisted life-space scores only of people with stroke. The C-LSA is a reliable and valid tool for measuring life-space in stroke populations.