Both intervention groups exhibited improvement in self-reported function and the global rating of change. Our results, however, did not support an additive effect of agility and perturbation training with standard exercise therapy in our sample of individuals with knee OA. Further study is needed to determine whether there are subgroups of individuals who might achieve an added benefit with this approach.
Objective
1) To determine the inter-rater reliability and measurement error of a 11-step stair ascend/descend test (STTotal-11) and stair up (ascend) test (STUp-11); 2) to seek evidence for the STTotal-11 and STUp-11 as valid measures of physical function by determining if they relate to measures of physical function and do not relate to measures not of physical function; and 3) to explore if the STTotal-11 and STUp-11 scores relate to lower extremity muscle weakness and knee range of motion (ROM) in individuals with total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Academic center.
Participants
Subjects (N=43, 30 women; mean age, 68±8years) with unilateral TKA.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
STTotal-11 and STUp-11 were performed twice and scores were compared to scores on 4 lower extremity performance-based tasks, 2 patient-reported questionnaires of physical function, 3 psychological factors, knee ROM, and strength of quadriceps, hip extensors and abductors.
Results
Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.94 for both the STTotal-11 and STUp-11, standard error of measurements were 1.14sec and .82sec, and Minimum Detectable Change associated with 90%CI were 2.6 sec and 1.9 sec, respectively. Correlations between stair tests and performance based measures and knee and hip muscle strength ranged from r=.40 to .78. STTotal-11 and STUp-11 had a small correlation with one of the patient-reported measures of physical function. Stair tests were not associated with psychological factors and knee extension ROM, and were associated with knee flexion ROM.
Conclusions
STTotal-11 and STUp-11 have good inter-rater reliability and MDCs adequate for clinical use. The pattern of associations supports the validity of the stair tests in TKA.
After TKA, hip abductor strength influenced physical function in participants more than did demographic or anthropometric measures or quadriceps strength. Longitudinal studies with larger samples are warranted. If findings are replicated, they will justify targeting the hip abductors during rehabilitation after TKA.
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