CLA Chilean scientist led a pioneering study that developed a new scale to measure functional autonomy in elderly women, tailored to the national context. Researchers from the Isafyd research center at Universidad de La Libertad (UDLA) in Viña del Mar adapted the Latin American Development Group for Maturity (GDLAM) protocol, which assesses physical function through mobility, balance, and daily performance tests. The team noted that while the GDLAM protocol was widely used in Latin America, there were no existing scales specifically designed for Chilean elderly women, making result interpretation difficult. Led by Dr. Álvaro Huerta, the study collected data from 347 women aged 60 and older across various regions, applying functional tests such as movement, sitting up, walking, and coordination. The researchers created a percentile-based scale to classify functional autonomy levels and highlighted that loss of functional autonomy poses significant challenges due to its association with falls, dependency, and reduced quality of life. They emphasized that the protocol’s reliability and the scale’s validity have been scientifically validated through publications by the research group in
Bias read (Center): The article presents a scientific study without overt political framing. It focuses on medical research and health outcomes, which are generally considered apolitical. The tone remains objective, detailing the methodology, findings, and implications of the study without advocating for any particular
