DOES THE USE OF WALKING AID AFFECT TUG TEST RESULTS?

¹Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Balikesir/Bandirma, Turkey

Background: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is one of the easy, inexpensive, valid and reliable clinical tool for evaluating functional mobility. During the TUG test, the individual is allowed to use their walking aids. However, the use of walking aid can alter the time required for the TUG test.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate how the use of walking aids affects TUG test results.

Methods: Fifteen (15) people with stroke who could walk without a walking aid but use a walking aid in daily life were included in this cross-sectional study. Functional mobility was assessed with the Timed Up and Go test. The Timed Up and Go test was administered twice in the same patient group, with and without walking aid. Balance was measured with the Berg Balance Scale. All measurements were performed by the same physical therapist.

Results: The mean TUG value with walking aids was 43.13±16.19 sec, and the mean TUG Test value without walking aids was 53.20±18.52 sec. Paired-Samples T Test showed significant interaction between Timed Up and Go Test values with and without walking aids (p=0.004). Timed Up and Go scores with and without walking aids and Berg Balance Scale scores showed high negative correlations (Rho= -,636, Rho=-,762).

Conclusions: The significant differences between the two TUG trials for the people with stroke illustrated the impact of the using the walking aid on TUG test performance. These differences may be related to the balance of individuals and the type of walking aid they use.

Implications: The use of walking aid should be considered when evaluating functional mobility.TUG test results should be interpreted according to the use of walking aids.

Funding acknowledgements: No funding.

Keywords:
Timed Up and Go Test
Stroke
Balance

Topics:
Neurology: stroke

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Health Sciences Institution

Committee: Hacettepe University Non-Invasive Clinical Research Ethics Committee

Ethics number: Decision Number: 2019/09-43 Date: 02 April 2019 Project Number: GO 19/351