Validity of an exercise test based on habitual gait speed in mobility-limited older adults. Psychometric comparisons of the timed up and go, one-leg stand, functional reach, and Tinetti balance measures in community-dwelling older people. Age- and gender-related test performance in community-dwelling elderly people: Six-Minute Walk Test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go Test, and gait speeds. Reliability of Six Physical Performance Tests in Older People With Dementia Stability of physical assessment of older drivers over 1 year. Test-retest reliability and sensitivity of the 20-meter walk test among patients with knee osteoarthritis Quantitative gait analysis under dual-task in older people with mild cognitive impairment: a reliability study Walking speed as a good predictor for the onset of functional dependence in a Japanese rural community population. Short-distance walking speed tests in people with Parkinson disease: reliability, responsiveness, and validity. Test-Retest Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change Scores for the Timed “Up & Go” Test, the Six-Minute Walk Test, and Gait Speed in People With Alzheimer Disease Predicting the probability of falls in community-dwelling elderly individuals using the trail-walking test Meaningful change and responsiveness in common physical performance measures in older adults. Time dependency of walking classification in stroke. The comparative ability of eight functional mobility tests for predicting falls in community-dwelling older people. Psychometric Comparisons of 3 Functional Ambulation Measures for Patients With Stroke The development and pilot randomised controlled trial of a group education programme for promoting walking in people with intermittent claudication Recommended Measures for the Assessment of Cognitive and Physical Performance in Older Patients with Dementia: A Systematic Review
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether a customized exercise tolerance testing ( ETT ) protocol based on an individual 's habitual gait speed ( HGS ) on level ground would be a valid mode of exercise testing older adults . Although ETT provides a useful means to risk-stratify adults , age-related declines in gait speed paradoxically limit the utility of st and ard ETT protocol s for evaluating older adults . A customized ETT protocol may be a useful alternative to these st and ard methods , and this study hypothesized that this alternative approach would be valid . DESIGN We performed a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a r and omized controlled trial of older adults with observed mobility problems . Screening was performed using a treadmill-based ETT protocol customized for each individual 's HGS . We determined the content validity by assessing the results of the ETTs , and we evaluated the construct validity of treadmill time in relation to the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly ( PASE ) and the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument ( LLFDI ) . SETTING Outpatient rehabilitation center . PARTICIPANTS Community-dwelling , mobility-limited older adults ( N=141 ) . INTERVENTIONS Not applicable . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cardiac instability , ETT duration , peak heart rate , peak systolic blood pressure , PASE , and LLFDI . RESULTS Acute cardiac instability was identified in 4 of the participants who underwent ETT . The remaining participants ( n=137 , 68 % female ; mean age , 75.3 y ) were included in the subsequent analyses . Mean exercise duration was 9.39 minutes , with no significant differences in duration s being observed after evaluating among tertiles by HGS status . Mean peak heart rate and mean peak systolic blood pressure were 126.6 beats/min and 175.0 mmHg , respectively . Within separate multivariate models ,  ETT duration in each of the 3 gait speed groups was significantly associated ( P<.05 ) with PASE and LLFDI . CONCLUSIONS Mobility-limited older adults can complete this customized ETT protocol , allowing for the identification of acute cardiac instability and the achievement of optimal exercise parameters OBJECTIVES To compare the practicality , reliability , validity , and responsiveness of the timed up and go ( TUG ) , one-leg st and ( OLS ) , functional reach ( FR ) , and Tinetti balance ( TB ) performance measures in people aged 65 and older . DESIGN A prospect i ve study . SETTING Shin-Sher Township of Taichung County , west- central Taiwan . PARTICIPANTS Twelve hundred community-dwelling older people . MEASUREMENTS During an initial assessment at their residences , participants were interviewed for demographics , cognition , fall history , use of a walking aid , and activities of daily living ( ADLs )  , in addition to completing the four balance tests . Falls were ascertained by telephone every 3 months for a 1-year follow-up ; the four balance measures and ADLs were also reassessed at the end of the follow-up year . RESULTS Of the four balance measures , the OLS had the lowest participation rate , and participation of people who were cognitively impaired had fallen in the previous year , used a walking aid , or suffered from an ADL disability was lower than for their counterparts . The time to complete the tests ranged from 58 seconds for OLS , to 160 seconds for the TB . All four balance measures exhibited excellent test-retest reliability and discriminant validity but poor responsiveness to fall status . The TB showed better discriminant , convergent , and predictive validities and responsiveness to ADL changes than the other three tests . CONCLUSION According to psychometric properties , the most suitable performance measure for evaluating balance in community-dwelling older people was the TB , followed by the TUG BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The interpretation of patient scores on clinical tests of physical mobility is limited by a lack of data describing the range of performance among people without disabilities . The purpose of this study was to provide data for 4 common clinical tests in a sample of community-dwelling older adults . SUBJECTS Ninety-six community-dwelling elderly people ( 61 - 89 years of age ) with independent functioning performed 4 clinical tests . METHODS Data were collected on the  Six-Minute Walk Test ( 6MW ) , Berg Balance Scale ( BBS ) , and Timed Up & Go Test ( TUG ) and during comfortable- and fast-speed walking ( CGS and FGS ) . Intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICCs ) were used to determine the test-retest reliability for the 6MW , TUG , CGS , and FGS measurements . Data were analyzed by gender and age ( 60 - 69 , 70 - 79 , and 80 - 89 years ) cohorts , similar to previous studies . Means , st and ard deviations , and 95 % confidence intervals for each measurement were calculated for each cohort . RESULTS The 6MW , TUG , CGS , and FGS measurements showed high test-retest reliability ( ICC [2,1]=.95-.97 ) . Mean test scores showed a trend of age-related declines for the 6MW , BBS , TUG , CGS , and FGS for both male and female subjects . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Preliminary descriptive data suggest that physical therapists should use age-related data when interpreting patient data obtained for the 6MW , BBS , TUG , CGS and FGS . Further data on these clinical tests with larger sample sizes are needed to serve as a reference for patient comparisons Background Physical performance tests are important for assessing the effect of physical activity interventions in older people with dementia , but their psychometric properties have not been systematic ally established within this specific population . Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the relative and absolute test-retest reliability of the  6-m walk test  , the  Figure-of-Eight Walk Test ( F8W ) , the  Timed “ Up & Go ” Test ( TUG )  , the  Frailty and Injuries : Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques–4  ( FICSIT–4 ) Balance Test , the  Chair Rise Test ( CRT )  , and the  Jamar dynamometer .  These tests are used to assess gait speed , dynamic balance , functional mobility , static balance , lower-limb strength , and grip strength , respectively . Design This investigation was a prospect i ve , nonexperimental study . Methods Older people with dementia ( n=58 , age range=70–92 years ) performed each test at baseline and again after 1 week . Intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICC ) , st and ard error of measurement ( SEM ) , minimal detectable change ( MDC ) , and log-transferred limits of agreement of Bl and -Altman plots were calculated . Results The relative reliability of the F8W , TUG , and Jamar dynamometer was excellent ( ICC=.90–.95 ) and good for the 6-m walk test , FICSIT–4 , and CRT ( ICC=.79–.86 ) . The SEMs and MDCs were large for all tests . The absolute reliability of the TUG and CRT was significantly influenced by the level of cognitive functioning ( as assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination [ MMSE ] ) . Limitations The specific etiology of dementia was not obtained . Conclusions The physical performance tests evaluated are useful for detecting differences in performance between older people with mild to moderate dementia and , therefore , are suitable for cross-sectional or controlled intervention studies . They appear less suitable to monitor clinical ly relevant intra-individual performance changes . Future studies should focus on the development of more sensitive tests and the identification of criteria for clinical ly relevant changes in this rapidly growing population Older adults represent the fastest-growing population of drivers with a valid driver 's licence . Also common in this age group are multiple chronic medical conditions that may have an effect on physical function and driving ability . Determining the reliability of physical measures used to assess older drivers ' functional ability is important to identifying those who are safe to continue driving . Most previous reliability studies of clinical physical measures of health used test-retest intervals shorter than those between patient visits with a clinician . In the present study we examined a more clinical ly representative interval of 1 year to determine the stability of commonly used physical measures collected during the C and rive II prospect i ve cohort study of older drivers .  Reliability statistics indicate that the  sequential finger-thumb opposition , rapid pace walk  and the  Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity tests  have adequate stability over 1 year . Poor stability was observed for the one-legged stance and Snellen visual acuity test . Several assessment s with nominal data ( Marottoli method [ functional neck range of motion ] , whispered voice test , range of motion and strength testing ) lacked sufficient variability to conduct reliability analyses ; however , a lack of variability between test days suggests consistency over a 1-year time frame . Our results provide evidence that specific physical measures are stable in monitoring functional ability over the course of a year Background The 20-meter walk test is a physical function measure commonly used in clinical research studies and rehabilitation clinics to measure gait speed and monitor changes in patients ’ physical function over time . Unfortunately , the reliability and sensitivity of this walk test are not well defined and , therefore , limit our ability to evaluate real changes in gait speed not attributable to normal variability . The aim of this study was to assess the test-restest reliability and sensitivity of the 20-meter walk test , at a self-selected pace , among patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) and to suggest a st and ardized protocol for future test administration . Methods This was a measurement reliability study . Fifteen consecutive people enrolled in a r and omized-controlled trial of intra-articular corticosteroid injections for knee OA participated in this study . All participants completed 4 trials on 2 separate days , 7 to 21 days apart ( 8 trials total ) . Each day was divided into 2 sessions , which each involved 2 walking trials . We compared walk times between trials with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests . Similar analyses compared average walk times between sessions . To confirm these analyses , we also calculated Spearman correlation coefficients to assess the relationship between sessions . Finally , smallest detectable differences ( SDD ) were calculated to estimate the sensitivity of the 20-meter walk test . Results Wilcoxon signed-rank tests between trials within the same session demonstrated that trials in session 1 were significantly different and in the subsequent 3 sessions , the median differences between trials were not significantly different . Therefore , the first session of each day was considered a practice session , and the SDD between the second session of each day were calculated . SDD was −1.59 seconds ( walking slower ) and 0.15 seconds ( walking faster ) . Conclusions Practice trials and a st and ardized protocol should be used in administration of the 20-meter walk test . Changes in walk time between −1.59 seconds ( walking slower ) and 0.15 seconds ( walking faster ) should be considered within the range of normal variability of 20-meter walking speed . The primary limitation of our study was a small sample size , which may influence the generalizability of our findings Background Reliability of quantitative gait assessment while dual-tasking ( walking while doing a secondary task such as talking ) in people with cognitive impairment is unknown . Dual-tasking gait assessment is becoming highly important for mobility research with older adults since better reflects their performance in the basic activities of daily living . Our purpose was to establish the test-retest reliability of assessing quantitative gait variables using an electronic walkway in older adults with mild cognitive impairment ( MCI ) under single and dual-task conditions . Methods The gait performance of 11 elderly individuals with MCI was evaluated using an  electronic walkway ( GAITRite ® System ) in two sessions , one week apart . Six gait parameters ( gait velocity , step length , stride length , step time , stride time , and double support time ) were assessed under two conditions : single-task ( sG : usual walking ) and dual-task ( dG : counting backwards from 100 while walking ) . Test-retest reliability was determined using intra-class correlation coefficient ( ICC ) . Gait variability was measured using coefficient of variation ( CoV ) . Results Eleven participants ( average age = 76.6 years , SD = 7.3 ) were assessed . They were high functioning ( Clinical Dementia Rating Score = 0.5 ) with a mean Mini-Mental Status Exam ( MMSE ) score of 28 ( SD = 1.56 ) , and a mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment ( MoCA ) score of 22.8 ( SD = 1.23 ) . Under dual-task conditions , mean gait velocity ( GV ) decreased significantly ( sGV = 119.11 ± 20.20 cm/s ; dGV = 110.88 ± 19.76 cm/s ; p = 0.005 ) . Additionally , under dual-task conditions , higher gait variability was found on stride time , step time , and double support time . Test-retest reliability was high ( ICC>0.85 ) for the six parameters evaluated under both conditions . Conclusion In older people with MCI  , variability of time-related gait parameters increased with dual-tasking suggesting cognitive control of gait performance . Assessment of quantitative gait variables using an electronic walkway is highly reliable under single and dual-task conditions . The presence of cognitive impairment did not preclude performance of dual-tasking in our sample supporting that this methodology can be reliably used in cognitive impaired older individuals OBJECTIVE to investigate and compare the predictive values of four physical performance measures for the onset of functional dependence in older Japanese people living at home . DESIGN a population -based prospect i ve cohort study . SETTING Nangai village , Akita Prefecture , Japan . METHODS out of the population aged 65 years and older living in Nangai ( n = 940 ) in 1992 , we measured h and grip-strength , one-leg st and ing , and usual and maximum walking speeds  in 736 subjects who were independent in the five basic activities of daily living . Their functional status was assessed each year for the subsequent 6 years . The outcome event was the onset of functional dependence , defined as a new disability in one or more of the five basic activities of daily living , or death of a subject who had shown no disability at the previous follow-up . RESULTS even after controlling for age , sex and a number of chronic conditions , lower scores on each baseline performance measure showed increased risk for the onset of functional dependence . Maximum walking speed  was most sensitive in predicting future dependence for those aged 65 - 74 years , while usual walking speed was most sensitive for people aged > or = 75 years . CONCLUSION  walking speed  was the best physical performance measure for predicting the onset of functional dependence in a Japanese rural older population PURPOSE The aims of this study were to determine test-retest reliability and responsiveness of short-distance walking speed tests for persons with Parkinson disease ( PD ) . Discriminant and convergent validity of walking speed tests were also examined . METHODS Eighty-eight participants with PD ( mean age , 66 years ) with mild to moderate severity ( stages 1 - 4 on the Hoehn and Yahr Scale ) were tested on medications . Measures of activity included the  comfortable and fast 10-m walk tests ( CWT , FWT ) , 6-min walk test ( 6MWT ) , mini balance evaluations systems test ( mini-BEST Test ) , fear of falling ( FoF ) , and the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale ( ABC ) . The mobility subsection of the PD quality of life-39 ( PDQ39-M ) served as a participation-based measure . RESULTS Test-retest reliability was high for both walking speed measures ( CWT , ICC(2,1 ) = 0.98 ; FWT , ICC(2,1 ) = 0.99 ) . Minimal detectable change ( MDC(95 ) ) for the CWT and FWT was 0.09 m/s and 0.13 m/s respectively . Participants at Hoehn & Yahr levels 3/4 demonstrated significantly slower walking speed with the CWT and FWT than participants at Hoehn & Yahr levels 1 and 2 ( P < .01 ) . The CWT and FWT were both significantly ( P ≤ .002 ) correlated with all activity and participation-based measures . CONCLUSIONS Short-distance walking speed tests are clinical ly useful measures for persons with PD . The CWT and FWT are highly reliable and responsive to change in persons with PD . Short distance walking speed can be used to discriminate differences in gait function between persons with mild and moderate PD severity . The CWT and FWT had moderate to strong associations with other activity and participation based measures demonstrating convergent validity Background : With the increasing incidence of Alzheimer disease ( AD ) , determining the validity and reliability of outcome measures for people with this disease is necessary . Objective : The goals of this study were to assess test-retest reliability of data for the Timed “ Up & Go ” Test ( TUG ) , the  Six-Minute Walk Test  ( 6MWT ) , and gait speed and to calculate minimal detectable change ( MDC ) scores for each outcome measure . Performance differences between groups with mild to moderate AD and moderately severe to severe AD ( as determined by the Functional Assessment Staging [ FAST ] scale ) were studied . Design : This was a prospect i ve , nonexperimental , descriptive method ological study . Methods : Background data collected for 51 people with AD included : use of an assistive device , Mini-Mental Status Examination scores , and FAST scale scores . Each participant engaged in 2 test sessions , separated by a 30- to 60-minute rest period , which included 2 TUG trials , 1 6MWT trial , and 2 gait speed trials using a computerized gait assessment system . A specific cuing protocol was followed to achieve optimal performance during test sessions . Results : Test-retest reliability values for the TUG , the 6MWT , and gait speed were high for all participants together and for the mild to moderate AD and moderately severe to severe AD groups separately ( intraclass correlation coefficients ≥.973 ) ; however , individual variability of performance also was high . Calculated MDC scores at the 90 % confidence interval were : TUG=4.09 seconds , 6MWT=33.5 m ( 110 ft ) , and gait speed=9.4 cm/s . The 2 groups were significantly different in performance of clinical tests , with the participants who were more cognitively impaired being more physically and functionally impaired . Limitations : A single research er for data collection limited sample numbers and prohibited blinding to dementia level . Conclusions : The TUG , the 6MWT , and gait speed are reliable outcome measures for use with people with AD , recognizing that individual variability of performance is high . Minimal detectable change scores at the 90 % confidence interval can be used to assess change in performance over time and the impact of treatment Background Falling is a common problem in the fast-growing elderly population .  Multitasking or engaging in two or more activities at the same time is common in daily living . Objective To determine the usefulness of the  trail-walking test ( TWT ) for predicting a fall in community-dwelling elderly individuals . Methods This was a prospect i ve study in which the TWT was used to evaluate the risk of falling among a group of community-dwelling elderly individuals ( n = 171 ) with a mean age of 80.5 ± 5.6 years . The following tests were conducted :  TWT , trail-making test ( TMT ) , timed-up- and -go test ( TUG ) , functional reach ( FR ) test , one-leg st and ing ( OLS ) test , and 10-m walking time test . Test – retest reliability was assessed by repeating the TWT within 2 weeks of the first trial , and there was a 1-year follow-up . Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to analyze whether the TWT , TMT , TUG , FR , OLS , or 10-m walking tests predicted falling . Results The test – retest reliability  of TWT was high ( intraclass correlation coefficient 0.945 , p < 0.001 ) . Fifty-nine participants ( 34.5 % ) had reported a fall during the year preceding the 1-year follow-up . The stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that only the TWT was significantly related to falling ( odds ratio 1.160 , 95 % confidence interval 1.107–1.214 ; p < 0.001 ) . In total , 77.8 % of cases were correctly classified . Conclusion When reliability and validity were considered , the TWT was most useful test of those evaluated for assessing the risk of fall among our elderly cohort OBJECTIVES To estimate the magnitude of small meaningful and substantial individual change in physical performance measures and evaluate their responsiveness . DESIGN Secondary data analyses using distribution- and anchor-based methods to determine meaningful change . SETTING Secondary analysis of data from an observational study and clinical trials of community-dwelling older people and subacute stroke survivors . PARTICIPANTS Older adults with mobility disabilities in a strength training trial ( n=100 ) , subacute stroke survivors in an intervention trial ( n=100 ) , and a prospect i ve cohort of community-dwelling older people ( n=492 ) . MEASUREMENTS  Gait speed , Short Physical Performance Battery ( SPPB ) , 6-minute-walk distance ( 6MWD ) , and self-reported mobility . RESULTS Most small meaningful change estimates ranged from 0.04 to 0.06 m/s for gait speed , 0.27 to 0.55 points for SPPB , and 19 to 22 m for 6MWD . Most substantial change estimates ranged from 0.08 to 0.14 m/s for gait speed , 0.99 to 1.34 points for SPPB , and 47 to 49 m for 6MWD . Based on responsiveness indices , per-group sample sizes for clinical trials ranged from 13 to 42 for substantial change and 71 to 161 for small meaningful change . CONCLUSION Best initial estimates of small meaningful change are near 0.05 m/s for gait speed , 0.5 points for SPPB , and 20 m for 6MWD and of substantial change are near 0.10 m/s for gait speed , 1.0 point for SPPB , and 50 m for 6MWD . For clinical use , substantial change in these measures and small change in gait speed and 6MWD , but not SPPB , are detectable . For research use , these measures yield feasible sample sizes for detecting meaningful change BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To facilitate optimal stroke rehabilitation , valid interpretation of observed functional recovery is required . The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between comfortable walking speed and  Functional Ambulation Categories ( FAC ) scores for physically independent gait . SUBJECTS This study was a prospect i ve cohort study with 73 subjects who were severely affected by acute stroke . METHODS Functional Ambulation Categories classification and walking speed were measured between weeks 4 and 26 after stroke . The responsiveness of walking speed  measurements for detecting clinical ly important speed changes was determined , and the longitudinal association between walking speed and FAC scores and its time dependency were established . This relationship subsequently was scrutinized for possible speed changes occurring within specific FAC scores . Responsiveness ratios , r and om coefficient analysis , paired Student t tests , and the Cohen kappa statistic were used for statistical analyses . RESULTS Responsiveness ratios exceeded the smallest detectable differences . R and om coefficient analysis demonstrated a significant between- and within-subject coefficient and a significant negative interaction between timing of measurements and FAC scores . Paired Student t tests revealed mostly significant pretest-posttest differences in walking speeds , and all kappa values for pretest-posttest FAC scores were significant . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Walking speed measurements are sensitive for detecting clinical ly important changes . Functional Ambulation Categories scores are dependent on the timing of comfortable walking speed measurements after stroke . Moreover , there are indications that , in this relationship , repeated FAC appraisal s are not only based on steady walking speeds , but that the walking speeds related to a specific FAC appraisal also change and , over time , may shift gradually from higher to lower speeds BACKGROUND numerous tests have been suggested as fall risk indicators . However , the validity of these assessment s has not been demonstrated in large representative sample s of community-dwelling older people . OBJECTIVE the objective of this study was to examine the comparative ability and clinical utility of eight mobility tests for predicting multiple falls in older community-dwelling people . METHODS design -- prospect i ve cohort study ; subjects--362 subjects aged 74 - 98 years ; measurements --the sit-to-st and test with one and five repetitions , the pick-up-weight test , the half-turn test , the alternate-step test ( AST ) , the six-metre-walk test ( SMWT )  and  stair ascent and descent tasks . Falls were monitored for 1 year with fall calendars . RESULTS in the 12-month follow-up period , 80 subjects ( 22.1 % ) suffered two or more falls . Multiple fallers performed significantly worse than non-multiple fallers in the sit-to-st and test with five repetitions ( STS-5 ) , the AST , the  half-turn test  , the  SMWT  and the stair-descent test .  When dichotomised using cut-off points from receiver-operated characteristics ( ROC ) curve analyses , these tests demonstrated reasonable sensitivity and specificity in identifying multiple fallers . A principal components analysis identified only one factor underlying the mobility tests . Poor performances in two mobility tests , however , increased the risk of multiple falls more than poor performance in one test alone ( ORs = 3.66 , 95 % CI = 1.44 , 9.27 and 1.61 , 95 % CI = 0.62 , 4.16 respectively ) . CONCLUSIONS the mobility tests appear to be measuring a similar ' mobility ' construct . Based on feasibility and predictive validity , the AST , STS-5 and SMWTs were the best tests Background and Purpose — We compared the test-retest reliability , validity , and responsiveness of the Dynamic Gait Index , the 4-item Dynamic Gait Index , and the Functional Gait Assessment for assessment of walking in patients with stroke . Methods — Forty-five out patients participating in the validity and responsiveness study were tested using the 3 walking measures as well as the 10-m walk test , Barthel Index , and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients .  We tested them during the first week , then again after 2 months and 5 months of therapy .  Another 48 chronic patients completed the 3 measures twice , 1 week apart , in the test-retest reliability study . Results — Thirty-five participants completed 3 time-point assessment s. The Functional Gait Assessment showed the least floor and ceiling effects , indicating it has the best discriminative ability for patients with stroke with high walking function . We found the 3 measures were highly correlated with each other , indicating excellent concurrent validity , and all measures at the first week of therapy were moderately to highly correlated with the Barthel Index scores at 5 months , indicating good predictive validity . Responsiveness of the 3 measures was moderate during a 5-month period , and all showed good test-retest reliability . The minimal detectable changes between tests indicate acceptable r and om error . Conclusions — All 3 measures showed sufficient validity , responsiveness , and reliability for assessment of walking function in patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation , but the Functional Gait Assessment is recommended for its psychometric properties The aim of this study was to develop and pilot a group education programme for promoting walking in people with intermittent claudication . Patient focus groups ( n=24 ) and literature review s were conducted to inform the development of the education programme , which involves a three-hour group-based education workshop and follow-up telephone support . A pilot study was subsequently conducted in which 23 new patients ( Rutherford category 1–3 ) were r and omly assigned to usual care ( control ) or usual care plus the education programme . Outcomes were assessed at baseline and six weeks including daily steps ( tri-axial accelerometer ) , walking capacity ( six-minute walk test and Gardner treadmill test ) , and quality of life ( Intermittent Claudication Question naire [ ICQ ] ) . Exit interviews were conducted to assess the acceptability and usefulness of the programme . Compared with controls , the intervention group had superior walking capacity and quality of life at six weeks . Mean differences in six-minute walk distance , treadmill maximum walking distance and ICQ score were 44.9 m ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 6.9 to 82.9 ) , 173 m ( 95 % CI , 23 to 322 ) , and −10.6 ( 95 % CI , −18.9 to −2.3 ) , respectively . The daily step count did not differ between groups . The exit interviews indicated that participants valued attending the programme , that it gave them a greater underst and ing of their condition , and that they had been walking more for exercise since attending . The results suggest that the education programme is feasible , acceptable , and potentially useful for improving walking capacity and quality of life . A fully-powered trial exploring clinical and cost effectiveness is needed . TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER : IS RCT N06733130 ( http://www.controlled-trials.com ) Aim / Goal : To recommend a set of neuropsychological and physical exercise tests for research ers to assess cognition and physical fitness in clinical trials with older patients with dementia ; to create consensus , decrease heterogeneity , and improve research quality . Methods : A literature search ( 2005–2011 ) yielded 89 r and omized controlled trials . To provide information on test recommendations the frequency of test use , effect size of the test outcome , study quality , and psychometric properties of tests were analyzed . Results : Fifty-nine neuropsychological tests ( cognitive domains : global cognition , executive functioning , memory , and attention ) and 10  exercise tests ( physical domains : endurance capacity , muscle strength , balance , and mobility ) were found . Conclusion : The Severe Impairment Battery , Mini Mental State Examination , and Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale – cognitive subscale were recommended to measure global cognition . The Verbal Fluency Test Category/Letters , Clock Drawing Test , and Trail Making Test-B were recommended to measure executive functioning . No specific memory test could be recommended . The Digit Span Forward , Digit Span Backward , and Trail Making Test-A were recommended to measure attention . As physical exercise tests , the Timed Up and Go and Six Meter Walk for mobility , the Six Minute Walk Distance for endurance capacity , and the Tinetti Balance Scale were recommended
Walking speed is a highly valid test , both at habitual and maximum speed .
Both habitual and maximum walking speeds are valid instruments , and they predict death , hospitalization/institutionalization , and decline in mobility
The number of available walking tests has increased dramatically over the past decades .
Therefore , it is highly important to help clinicians choose the most appropriate walking test for a specific setting .
This systematic review aim ed to critically evaluate the reliability , validity , and responsiveness of clinical walking speed in a broad population of elderly persons living in the community , sheltered housing , or institutions .