Validation of the Circular Tandem Walk Test and Optimal Cutoff Score to Determine the Risk of Falls in Active Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

This study was to develop and validate the circular tandem walk test (CTWT) by deriving an optimal cutoff score to indicate the fall risk in 89 active community-dwelling older individuals. The participants aged 65 years and older were assessed for their demographic data, fear of fall variables, and history of falls in the past 6 months. Subsequently, participants were randomized for the sequence of tests between the tandem walk test and the CTWT. The outcomes of CTWT showed the highest significant correlation with all the fall variables (ranging from .631 to .827, p < .001). Moreover, the time to perform the CTWT ≥ 14.6 s and ≥ two error scores had excellent and acceptable diagnostic accuracy to determine the risk of falls in the older individuals, respectively. The CTWT can be used as alternative screening tests for assessing the fall risk in active older adults in community settings.

Effects of home‐based exergaming on cardio‐metabolic and cognitive health in physically inactive individuals

“…36 Moreover, improved dynamic balance has been shown to prevent falls in elderly individuals, again emphasizing the preventive potential of exergaming in a broader population. 37,38 We acknowledge the following strengths and limitations of the present study. This was the first prospective, interventional study investigating a home-based exergame system in healthy, sedentary adults, corroborating the preventive potential of such an approach.…”

Comparison of the Ability of Static and Dynamic Balance Tests to Determine the Risk of Falls among Older Community-Dwelling Individuals

“…Previously, the test had a significant correlation with standard tests, including the FTSST (r = 0.648, p < 0.001) and the TUG (r = 0.673, p < 0.100) [ 14 ]. Moreover, the outcome of the TTSW is used to indicate the risk of falling in older individuals [ 15 ]. Therefore, it is possible that the characteristics of the test contributed to finding a higher level of correlation and ability to indicate fall risk than other dynamic balance measures.…”

“…Three Times Stand and Walk test: The TTSW test was previously developed for assessing muscle strength, gait, and balance ability among older community-dwelling individuals [ 15 ]. The participants were required to sit on a standard armless chair with their backs upright and a hip flexion of 90 degrees.…”

“…Their feet were placed flat on the floor approximately 10 cm behind the knees, and their arms were left at their sides. Afterward, the participants were instructed to stand up repeatedly with their hips and knees in full extension, sit down three times, then walk around a traffic cone placed 3 m from the front edge of the chair, and return to sit down on the chair at the fastest, safest speed [ 15 ]. The average findings of the three trials were used for data analysis.…”

“…In addition, the TTSW we previously developed has excellent reliability (ICCs = 0.991; 95% CI = 0.984 to 0.996) [ 14 ]. The outcome of the test is used to indicate the risk of falling and frailty in older individuals [ 15 , 16 ]. Other balance tests, including FRT and SLS, have been reported to be useful for detecting balance impairment in the older individuals [ 17 , 18 ].…”