Research Reports (Original Article)
The Content Validity of Tandem Gait Tests
Validation Based New Validity
2018 Volume 45 Issue 3 Pages 143-149
Details
2018 Volume 45 Issue 3 Pages 143-149
Purpose: We sought to investigate the predictive and prospective validity of tandem gait tests to assess dynamic balance.
Methods: Overall, 493 community-dwelling people, including 367 women and 126 men (mean age, 62.6 years), were instructed to walk heel-to-toe on a line of 50 mm width tape. Tandem gait time (TGT), defined as the expended timing of 5-m tandem gait, was measured, and tandem gait index (TGI), calculated as TGT plus twofold of number of misstep(s). Age-related differences between three age groups were analyzed: <65 years, 65–74 years, and >75 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using falls in the future two years as a dependent variable, and each of the physical examination items as independent variables.
Results: No significant differences in TGT or TGI were seen between any age groups in men, except in the <65 years group vs the >75 years group. There were significant in differences in TGT and TGI in women across all age groups. Men had significantly greater TGT and TGI scores than women in all age groups. TGI was identified as the only independent factors predicting prospective patients at risk of falls with multiple logistic regression analysis. The cut-off value for TGI was determined to be 24.0 (odds ratio, 1.06).
Conclusions: Based on these results, TGI has sex- and age-related predictive validity and prospective validity in elderly patients.
