Is the Timed Up and Go test a useful predictor of risk of falls in community dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta- analysis

Abstract

BackgroundThe Timed Up and Go test (TUG) is a commonly used screening tool to assist clinicians to identify patients at risk of falling. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the overall predictive value of the TUG in community-dwelling older adults.MethodsA literature search was performed to identify all studies that validated the TUG test. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool, a validated tool for the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies. A TUG score of ≥13.5 seconds was used to identify individuals at higher risk of falling. All included studies were combined using a bivariate random effects model to generate pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity at ≥13.5 seconds. Heterogeneity was assessed using the variance of logit transformed sensitivity and specificity.ResultsTwenty-five studies were included in the systematic review and 10 studies were included in meta-analysis. The TUG test was found to be more useful at ruling in rather than ruling out falls in individuals classified as high risk (>13.5 sec), with a higher pooled specificity (0.74, 95% CI 0.52-0.88) than sensitivity (0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.57). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the TUG score is not a significant predictor of falls (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02, p = 0.05).ConclusionThe Timed Up and Go test has limited ability to predict falls in community dwelling elderly and should not be used in isolation to identify individuals at high risk of falls in this setting.

Risco de quedas em idosos residentes na comunidade: revisão sistemática da literatura

“…The other countries with most articles were Canada (23,29,40,(65)(66)(67)(68) with seven, Netherlands (20,31,35,51,69) with five, and United Kingdom (48,(70)(71)(72) with four. Then came China (26,50,73) , France (45,49,74) and Sweden (37)(38)41) , with two, Ireland (75)(76) with one, and Germany (21) , Brazil (16) , Korea (26) , Spain (77) , Japan (22) , and Thailand (43) . Six of the selected studies are secondary (systematic literature reviews) and the remaining 56 are primary studies based on quantitative methodology, i.e.…”

Are the Timed Up and Go Test and Functional Reach Test useful predictors of temporal and spatial gait parameters in elderly people?

“…The regression model constructed in this way explained 43% of variance in the TUG test results. Taking into account that the TUG test outcome reflects muscle strength, balance, and mobility [30], the adjusted R 2 coefficient for the model seems to be satisfactory. However, when searching the available literature, the authors found some contradictory data on the TUG test usefulness and reliability.…”

“…However, when searching the available literature, the authors found some contradictory data on the TUG test usefulness and reliability. A systematic review and metaanalysis conducted by barry et al [30] imply that the predictive value of this test is relatively limited. According to these authors, balance, leg muscle strength, and mobility, i.e.…”

Relationship between dynapenia, sarcopenia and functional mobility in institutionalized frail elderly

“…Sua praticidade, rapidez e baixo custo, tornam o TUGT um teste largamente utilizado em pesquisas e no âmbito clínico. 14,15,16 O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a mobilidade funcional de idosos frágeis institucionalizados e a sua relação com as características clínicas mais importantes, ou seja, a sarcopenia e a dinapenia, ambas passíveis de intervenções preventivas e terapêuticas. …”