Citation

Hess RJ, Brach JS, Piva SR, Vanswearingen JM. Phys. Ther. 2010; 90(1): 89-99.

Affiliation

University of Pittsburgh, 6035 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (USA).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2522/ptj.20080121

PMID

19959654

PMCID

PMC2802825

Abstract

Background The Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8W) involves straight and curved paths and was designed to represent walking skill in everyday life. Objective The purposes of this study were to validate the measure in older adults with walking difficulties and to explore correlates of the curved-path walking measure not represented by a straight-path walking measure. Design Fifty-one community-dwelling older adults with mobility disability participated in 2 baseline visits as part of an intervention study. METHODS:/b> The F8W time, steps, and smoothness and measures of gait (gait speed, modified Gait Abnormality Rating Scale GARS-M.), physical function (Late Life Function and Disabilities Index LLFDI., Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly SAFFE., Gait Efficacy Scale GES., Physical Performance Test PPT., and fall history), and movement control and planning (gait variability, Trail Making Test B Trails B.) were recorded in each test session. Bivariate correlations for the F8W with each variable were conducted to examine concurrent and construct validity. Adjusted linear regression analyses were performed to explore the variance in mobility explained by F8W independent of gait speed. RESULTS: /b> Figure-of-8 Walk Test time correlated with gait (gait speed, r=-.570; GARS-M, r=.281), physical function (LLFDI function, r=-.469; SAFFE restriction subscale, r=.370; PPT, r=-.353), confidence in walking (GES, r=-.468), and movement control (step length coefficient of variation, r=.279; step width coefficient of variation, r=-.277; Trails B, r=.351). Figure-of-8 Walk Test steps correlated with step width variability (r=-.339) and was related to fear of falling (t=-2.50). All correlations were significant (P<.05). Limitations This pilot study had a small sample size, and further research is needed. CONCLUSIONS:/b> The F8W is a valid measure of walking skill among older adults with mobility disability and may provide information complementary to gait speed.

Language: en