A new instrument to assess physical function in stroke patients: the Dubousset function test and its validity, reliability, responsiveness

ABSTRACT

Aim

The Dubousset Functional Test (DFT) ia a practical four-component assessment test to assess the physical function and balance capacities. The study aimed to examine the reliability, validity, responsiveness of the DFT in stroke survivors.

Methods

This study included a total of 57 post-stroke patients (age 60.16 ± 15.08 years). The participants were divided into two groups according to the duration of stroke (6–12 months, 12 months and more). Reliability of DFT test was evaluated with Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The correlation between the DFT and The Timed Up and Go test (TUG), dual-task TUG, Functional Reach Test (FRT), 3-meter backward walk test (3MBWT), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) was used for the validity.

Results

For total post-stroke patients, ICC values were between 0.899 and 0.984 (excellent agreement). For stroke patients have 6–12 months stroke duration ICC values were between 0.831 and 0.988 (excellent agreement). For post-stroke patients have 6–12 months stroke duration ICC values were between 0.858 and 0.992 (excellent agreement). For total stroke post-patients the correlation with four component of DFT and TUG, dual-task TUG, FRT, 3MBWT and POMA was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The DFT has excellent reliability and validity in post-stroke patients. Therefore, it may be a clinically suitable test for detecting balance and physical function.

KEYWORDS:

• Balance
• physical function
• stroke
• Dubousset Functional test
• validity
• reliability

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all patients included in this study for their support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.