Journal of Alzheimers Disease & Parkinsonism
Open Access

Abstract

Objectives: To establish the reliability and validity of LuBAIR Scale. It is also hypothesized LuBAIR will be less labor intensive, more comprehensive as well as offer improved categorization of behaviors into clinically meaningful categories. Methods: Seven (7) Long Term Care Facilities (LTCF) in Ontario, Canada were selected for the study. One hundred twenty (120) residents with a diagnosis of dementia were recruited for the study. Sixty residents exhibiting BPSDs were included in the study group and sixty participants not displaying BPSDs in the control group. Pittsburg Agitation Scale was used to screen for presence of BPSDs. Two registered nurses (RN) completed LuBAIR scale, BEHAVE-AD and Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) for each participant in the study group. This was done to establish inter-rater, Construct and Criteria Validity. Fourteen days later, the same RN completed LuBAIR Scale again for each participant for intra-rater reliability. A Clinical Utility Survey (CUS) was developed to evaluate the nurses’ view points on the usefulness of LuBAIR on three variables: Less labor intensive, more comprehensive and better categorization of behaviors in clinical meaningful categories. Results: Intra-rater reliability was established for 8 of the 12 behavioral categories. Inter-rater reliability was established for 10 of the 12 behavioral categories. LuBAIR scale had comparable Construct and Criteria Validity. CUS findings showed 23% of nurses found the LuBAIR to be less labor intensive, 77% found LuBAIR to be more comprehensive and an overwhelming majority, 98% agreed the LuBAIR helps understand behaviors in a clinically meaningful way. Conclusions: LuBAIR has acceptable inter and intra-rater reliability and Construct and Criteria Validity. It is more comprehensive and is better able to categorize behaviors in clinically meaningful categories.

Biography

Atul Sunny Luthra is presently an Associate Clinical Professor at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, in the faculty of health sciences, Department of Behavioural Neuroscience. He is also affiliated as a research scientist with the Research Institute for Aging, Schlegel, and University of Waterloo, Ontario. He is currently working as medical coordinator in the Program for Older Adults at Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario. He is affiliated in the same capacity with the St. Peter’s site of Hamilton Health Science, Hamilton, Ontario. His clinical and research focus is on developing safe pharmacological and affordable nonpharmacological treatment interventions for behaviors in moderate to advanced dementia.

Email: SLuthra@homewoodhealth.com