T.C. Tan1, R.S.M. Tan1,2, F.S.Y. Yap1,3, M. Yang4, M. Yeung1
1Singapore Institute of Technology, Health and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore, Singapore, 2Singapore General Hospital, Physiotherapy, Singapore, Singapore, 3SPD, Physiotherapy, Singapore, Singapore, 4Singhealth Polyclinic, Physiotherapy, Singapore, Singapore
Background: The Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG) has been shown to be a cost-effective and safe method to predict fall risk and evaluate overall functional mobility. Prior studies have established TUG normative reference values for diverse populations with differing age groups yet there is a lack of studies done to identify these values in healthy Singaporean adults.
Purpose: This study aimed to establish the normative TUG references values for healthy adults in Singapore and examine the relationship between TUG and gender, age and BMI respectively.
Methods: 621 participants, (ages 40-85 years) recruited from the community performed the TUG test. Subjects’ suitability was assessed via a brief medical history and vital sign measurements. TUG timing was taken for all eligible subjects and the average timing was utilized for analysis, Within (Age) group differences were calculated using a 2-sample t-test. Between (age) group differences were calculated using one-way ANOVA. Linear regression was utilized to determine the correlation between BMI and TUG timing.
Results: Participants aged 40-49yr old did TUG faster by 0.95 seconds compared to 60-69yr old (CI=0.95, p =0.028) and faster by 2.16 seconds compared to 70-79yr old (CI=0.95, p <0.001). Those aged 50-59 were faster compare to 60-69yr old by 0.64seconds (CI=0.95, p=0.013) and faster than 70-79yr old by 1.85sec (CI= 0.95, p <0.001.) Participants aged60-69 completed TUG faster than 70-79 by 1.21sec(CI= 0.95, p-value: <0.001). There was no significant difference between TUG timing for males and females regardless of age group. We found no correlation between BMI and TUG timing, however, we generated equations to predict TUG timing based on BMI for age groups 50-59,60-69 and 70-79; p<0.001.
Conclusion(s): This study provided TUG normative reference values for healthy Singaporean adults aged 40-85 years. Age has been associated with a statistically significant difference in TUG timing regardless of gender. Differences in TUG timing between gender was not statistically significant across all age groups. BMI may be considered for use as a predictor of TUG timing.
Implications: The prevailing notion of females taking a longer time to complete TUG across age-group has been proven not applicable in Singapore’s context. Prior to this study, Singapore lacked its own database with respect to standardized outcome measures for the local population. Clinical decision-making in a tertiary care institution relied upon data from the non-native population. Following the results of this study, clinicians are able to use data which provide an accurate representation of the local population to make better clinical decisions. This has an impact on rehabilitation goals and institutional discharge criteria. The result obtained is translatable regardless of institution, thus elevating the rigour of clinical practice.
Funding, acknowledgements: This study received funding from Singapore Institute of Technology
Keywords: Timed up and go, Normative reference values, Body mass index
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Singapore Institute of Technology
Committee: Institutional Review Board
Ethics number: 20190100
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
