The use of functional performance tests by primary health-care providers to determine walking ability with and without awalking device in community-dwelling elderly

ABSTRACT

Background: Primary health-care (PHC) providers are important for community involvement in health promotion and prevention efforts, particularly today that the number of elderly is increasing dramatically. The use of a standard practical measure would help in promoting the effectiveness of referral and monitoring processes. Objectives: To investigate the use of functional performance tests in terms of the appropriate cutoff point to determine walking ability with and without a walking device in community-dwelling elderly, and reliability of the tests when used by PHC providers. Methods: Community-dwelling people aged 65 years or older who walked with or without a walking device (n = 309) were interviewed and assessed for information related to the use of a walking device in daily living. Then, they were randomly assessed for their functional ability using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), and the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT). PHC providers, including a physical therapist, village health volunteer, and a caregiver, assessed 30 participants’ functional performances, to address rater reliability of the tests. Results: The findings suggested that outcomes of the tests (TUG < 12 s, FTSST < 15 s, and 10MWT > 0.8 m/s) can indicate the ability of walking without a walking device of the participants. These tests could be used by PHC providers, except for the FTSST by a caregiver. Conclusions: The findings offer a clear cutoff point for promoting the involvement of PHC providers and the standardization of a screening, monitoring, and referral process among many clinical and community settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Community service
• primary health care
• walking
• older adult
• cane

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study received funding support from the Research and Researchers for Industries or RRi (MSD56I0042) and Khon Kaen University.