Kristin Lowry1, Taylor Woods1, Amanda Malone2, Alex Krajek3, Ann Smiley4, Jessie Van Swearingen5. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, USA. 2. Iowa Clinic Waukee Physical Therapy, Waukee, IA, USA. 3. University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison, WI, USA. 4. Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. 5. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8W) is a valid measure of walking skill in older adults with a mobility disability. Use of the F8W in assessing walking skill in persons with Parkinson's disease (PWP) is unknown. PURPOSE: We examined the validity of the F8W by associations with mobility, and cognitive and physical function, and determined the ability of the F8W to discriminate the motor skill of walking in PWP from that of older adults (OA). METHODS: Participants, PWP (n = 60) and OA (n = 34) performed the F8W, usual straight path walking, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). RESULTS: Among PWP, F8W time and steps related to: usual gait speed (r = -0.660, -0.650); stride time variability (r = 0.377, 0.438); cognition (r = -0.293, time only); and physical function (r = -0.532, - 0.619), all p < .05. Area under the curve (AUC) analyses demonstrated greater sensitivity and specificity of F8W performance (0.811, 0.790) compared to usual gait speed (0.729) to recognize the motor skill of walking in PWP from that of OA. CONCLUSION: The F8W is a valid indicator of the motor skill of walking in PWP. Use of the F8W may uncover walking difficulties not identified by usual gait speed.
BACKGROUND: The Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8W) is a valid measure of walking skill in older adults with a mobility disability. Use of the F8W in assessing walking skill in persons with Parkinson's disease (PWP) is unknown. PURPOSE: We examined the validity of the F8W by associations with mobility, and cognitive and physical function, and determined the ability of the F8W to discriminate the motor skill of walking in PWP from that of older adults (OA). METHODS: Participants, PWP (n = 60) and OA (n = 34) performed the F8W, usual straight path walking, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). RESULTS: Among PWP, F8W time and steps related to: usual gait speed (r = -0.660, -0.650); stride time variability (r = 0.377, 0.438); cognition (r = -0.293, time only); and physical function (r = -0.532, - 0.619), all p < .05. Area under the curve (AUC) analyses demonstrated greater sensitivity and specificity of F8W performance (0.811, 0.790) compared to usual gait speed (0.729) to recognize the motor skill of walking in PWP from that of OA. CONCLUSION: The F8W is a valid indicator of the motor skill of walking in PWP. Use of the F8W may uncover walking difficulties not identified by usual gait speed.
Authors: A Stefanie Mikolaizak; Lynn Rochester; Walter Maetzler; Basil Sharrack; Heleen Demeyer; Claudia Mazzà; Brian Caulfield; Judith Garcia-Aymerich; Beatrix Vereijken; Valdo Arnera; Ram Miller; Paolo Piraino; Nadir Ammour; Mark Forrest Gordon; Thierry Troosters; Alison J Yarnall; Lisa Alcock; Heiko Gaßner; Jürgen Winkler; Jochen Klucken; Christian Schlenstedt; Henrik Watz; Anne-Marie Kirsten; Ioannis Vogiatzis; Nikolaos Chynkiamis; Emily Hume; Dimitrios Megaritis; Alice Nieuwboer; Pieter Ginis; Ellen Buckley; Gavin Brittain; Giancarlo Comi; Letizia Leocani; Jorunn L Helbostad; Lars Gunnar Johnsen; Kristin Taraldsen; Hubert Blain; Valérie Driss; Anja Frei; Milo A Puhan; Ashley Polhemus; Magda Bosch de Basea; Elena Gimeno; Nicholas S Hopkinson; Sara C Buttery; Jeffrey M Hausdorff; Anat Mirelman; Jordi Evers; Isabel Neatrour; David Singleton; Lars Schwickert; Clemens Becker; Carl-Philipp Jansen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-10-06 Impact factor: 3.752