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Examining the validity and sensitivity to change of the 5 and 10 sit‐to‐stand tests in people with multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Nilsagård Ylva,
Andreasson Malin,
Carling Anna,
Vesterlin Helena
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
physiotherapy research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.509
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1471-2865
pISSN - 1358-2267
DOI - 10.1002/pri.1681
Subject(s) - berg balance scale , timed up and go test , physical therapy , rehabilitation , balance (ability) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , test (biology) , psychology , gait , medicine , discriminant validity , psychometrics , clinical psychology , paleontology , internal consistency , biology
Background and Purpose Sit‐to‐stand transfers are frequently performed, and transfers have been associated with fall risk among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). There is limited research regarding the validity of sit‐to‐stand tests (STSs) in PwMS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concurrent, divergent, and discriminant validity and sensitivity to change of the 5 and 10 STSs. Methods A repeated‐measurement design was used, with data collected before and directly after a 7‐week intervention, as well as prospectively reported near‐fall incidents and falls during a 14‐week period. One hundred two PwMS with a limited (≤200 m) but retained (≥20 m) walking ability were identified by physiotherapists at outpatient rehabilitation centres in 5 Swedish County Council areas and invited to participate in an intervention study. Of the 52 participants agreeing to participate and fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 47 managed the tests at baseline, and 39 of these returned complete fall diaries. The main outcomes were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 10‐m walk test, 2‐min walk test, Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Function, falls, near‐fall incidents, and use of walking aids. Results Correlations in the total sample were above .60 between the STSs and BBS, TUG, 10‐m walk test, and 2‐min walk test and above .50 between the STSs and total number of falls. Both tests discriminated between those who did and did not use walking aids for the TUG, but not between fallers and nonfallers. There were no significant correlations between the STSs and number of falls or near‐fall incidents. The STSs did not differentiate between participants with changed and unchanged results on the BBS. Discussion The 5 and 10 STSs are valid in PwMS with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤6.0 but do not identify fallers and have limited ability to detect change. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.