Yosuke Osuka1, Narumi Kojima1, Ryota Sakurai2, Yutaka Watanabe1,3, Hunkyung Kim1. 1. Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan. 2. Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan. 3. Department of Oral Health Science, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Abstract
AIM: This study aimed to examine the reliability and construct validity of the Stepping Trail Making Test (S-TMT) in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This study comprised a cross-sectional study based on a population sample. Participants comprised 1224 community-dwelling older Japanese women aged 65-81 years without functional disability, dementia, depression, Parkinson's disease, or cognitive and visual impairments. The S-TMT measured the time taken to step on a sequence of numbers (1-16) positioned on a mat (1 m2 ). Participants were instructed to step as quickly and accurately as possible. Motor functions were assessed by walking speed and knee extensor strength tests, while cognitive functions were assessed by the Symbol Digit Substitution Task (SDST) test, verbal and logical memory test, and TMT-A and -B. RESULTS: As a result of test-retest reliability over 6 months, the intraclass correlation coefficients of the S-TMT was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.90). An adjusted multiple regression model indicated that the S-TMT was significantly associated with walking speed for motor function, and associated with the SDST, TMT-A and TMT-B for cognitive functions (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the S-TMT is a reliable dual-task test comprising mobility for motor function and a visual-dependent execution function for cognitive function in older women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 291-296.
AIM: This study aimed to examine the reliability and construct validity of the Stepping Trail Making Test (S-TMT) in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This study comprised a cross-sectional study based on a population sample. Participants comprised 1224 community-dwelling older Japanese women aged 65-81 years without functional disability, dementia, depression, Parkinson's disease, or cognitive and visual impairments. The S-TMT measured the time taken to step on a sequence of numbers (1-16) positioned on a mat (1 m2 ). Participants were instructed to step as quickly and accurately as possible. Motor functions were assessed by walking speed and knee extensor strength tests, while cognitive functions were assessed by the Symbol Digit Substitution Task (SDST) test, verbal and logical memory test, and TMT-A and -B. RESULTS: As a result of test-retest reliability over 6 months, the intraclass correlation coefficients of the S-TMT was 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.90). An adjusted multiple regression model indicated that the S-TMT was significantly associated with walking speed for motor function, and associated with the SDST, TMT-A and TMT-B for cognitive functions (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the S-TMT is a reliable dual-task test comprising mobility for motor function and a visual-dependent execution function for cognitive function in older women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 291-296.