Assessing walking speed in clinical research: a systematic review

Graham, James E.; Ostir, Glenn V.; Fisher, Steve; Ottenbacher, Kenneth J.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2753.2007.00917.x

Cited by 358 publications

(275 citation statements)

References 110 publications

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“…Walking speed is often measured in clinical practice as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (Peel et al 2013) and in clinical research (Graham et al 2008a). It is a quick and easy measure and is not limited to specific equipment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Walking speed in elderly outpatients depends on the assessment method

Pasma

Stijntjes

et al. 2014

AGE

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Walking speed is shown to be an important indicator of the health status and function in older adults and part of the comprehensive geriatric assessment in clinical practice. The present study aimed to assess the influence of different assessment methods on walking speed and its association with the key aspects of poor health status, i.e., the presence of low cognitive performance and cardiopulmonary disease. In 288 community-dwelling elderly (mean age 82.2±7.1 years) referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic, walking speed was assessed with the 4-m, 10-m, and 6-min walking tests. The mean walking speed assessed with the 10-m walking test was higher compared to the 4-m and 6-min walking tests (mean difference (95 % CI) 0.11 m/s (0.10; 0.13) and 0.08 m/s (0.04; 0.13), respectively). No significant difference was found in the walking speed assessed with the 4-m compared to the 6-min walking test (mean difference (95 % CI) −0.03 m/s (−0.08; 0.03)). ICCs showed excellent agreement of the 4-m with the 10-m walking test and fair to good agreement of the 6-min with the 4-m as well as 10-m walking test. The presence of low cognitive performance was negatively associated with walking speed, with the highest effect size for the 4-m walking test. The presence of cardiopulmonary disease was negatively associated with walking speed as well, with the highest effect size for the 6-min walking test. In conclusion, in the clinically relevant population of elderly outpatients, walking speed and its interpretation depends on the assessment method, which therefore cannot be used interchangeably in clinical practice.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Walking speed in elderly outpatients depends on the assessment method

Pasma

Stijntjes

et al. 2014

AGE

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“…They were asked to walk normally, even when using walking aids. 16 A speed of less than 0.8 m/s was considered a risk for sarcopenia. 2,15 The second test required the participant to lift themselves from a chair without using their arms and walk three meters at a comfortable, safe pace, before turning around, walking back and sitting down again.…”

Section: Assessment Of Functional Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Análise de métodos para detectar sarcopenia em idosas independentes da comunidade

Paula

Wamser

Gomes

et al. 2016

Rev. bras. geriatr. gerontol.

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Introduction: Aging imposes changes in the body composition of individuals. One of the most striking changes during this period is the progressive loss of mass, strength and muscle function, known as sarcopenia. Objectives: To evaluate the presence of sarcopenia in healthy elderly women living in the community through a combination of different methods to assess muscle mass (MM) and physical performance, as well as analyzing whether there is correlation between the different methods of defining sarcopenia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed of 37 older adults of the Universidade Aberta da Maturidade (Open University for Mature Persons). The parameters used to assess MM were calf circumference (CC) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) through bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and the skeletal muscle index (SMI) Handgrip strength (HS) using a manual dynamometer, gait speed (GS) over 10m and the timed up and go (TUG) test for functional mobility were used to measure physical performance. To compare the sarcopenia diagnostic methods four different combinations were employed: C1= SMI+HS+GS; C2= SMI+HS+TUG; C3= CC+HS+GS and C4= CC+HS+TUG, according to European consensus proposals. To verify the differences between the methods the Kruskal-Wallis test and Multiple Comparisons for Unpaired Data were applied, and the weighted Kappa coefficient was used to assess the degree of agreement. Results: The C1 and C2 combinations identified pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia. A close correlation between C1 and C2 was found (0.92), while C3 and C4 did not identify the presence of sarcopenia in the elderly women. Conclusion: CC used to evaluate MM was not precise in the detection of sarcopenia in overweight elderly women. However, there was a strong agreement between the two combinations using SMI and GS or TUG, suggesting that both can be effectively applied in clinical practice.

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“…If it is recommended to acquire the data at the same time (that is, during the same observed/timed10-m walk), the use of a dynamic start is not possible for standardized WISCI II testing. While some authors 41 recommend a dynamic start with 2 m of acceleration before measurement of walking speed, others 42 state that the static start with no acceleration is adequate. In a systematic review of walking speed research in neurological diseases, 42 it was concluded that the static start is the preferred method for the 10MWT.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While some authors 41 recommend a dynamic start with 2 m of acceleration before measurement of walking speed, others 42 state that the static start with no acceleration is adequate. In a systematic review of walking speed research in neurological diseases, 42 it was concluded that the static start is the preferred method for the 10MWT. In addition, Scivoletto 43 has shown that in chronic incomplete SCI patients, walking speed with a static start does not differ significantly (P ¼ 0.092) from walking with a dynamic start.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI/WISCI II): nature, metric properties, use and misuse

Ditunno

Scivoletto

et al. 2013

Spinal Cord

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Study design: Literature review. Objective: To critically review all publications/internet sites that have described/used the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI II), as a measure of impairment of walking function after spinal cord injury (SCI), in order to identify its psychometric properties, clarify its nature, specify misuse and incorporate the findings in an updated guide. Method: A systematic literature search was done of Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and electronic sites using key words: WISCI or WISCI II, SCI, paraplegia/ tetraplegia/ quadriplegia and ambulation/gait/ walking. Among 1235 citations retrieved, 154 relevant articles/sites were identified, classified and examined by the authors; recommendations were made based on findings. Results and Discussion: The validity (face/concurrent/content/construct/convergent/criterion) and reliability of the WISCI II has been documented in clinical trials and clinical series, and considered adequate by systematic reviewers. In chronic SCI subjects, reliable determination of the maximum (as opposed to self-selected) WISCI II level requires more time and experience by the assessor. The correct use of WISCI II is clarified for testing acute/chronic phases of recovery after SCI, age of subjects, devices and settings. The WISCI II and walking speed measures may be performed simultaneously. Conclusion: The increased use of the WISCI II is attributed to its unique characteristics as a capacity measure of walking function and its strong metric properties. Appropriate use of the WISCI II was clarified and incorporated into a new guide for its use. Combining it with a walking speed measure needs further study. Keywords: walking function; WISCI; spinal cord injury; outcome measure; functional capacity scale INTRODUCTIONThe Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) is an ordinal scale that captures the extent and nature of assistance (combinations of orthoses, supporting equipment such as walkers and human helpers) that persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) require to walk. The original 19 levels, from unable to walk in spite of all possible supports to being able to walk without any, were rank-ordered by a panel of SCI experts to reflect gradations of impairment and their relationship to walking function. 1 The WISCI scale was modified the following year to the WISCI II with the addition of two levels. 2 Since its introduction, it has enjoyed increased popularity 3 and acceptance 4 as a capacity measure of walking function for use in clinical trials.International SCI experts 5,6 have, however, recommended that the WISCI II 2 be combined with the Ten Meter Walk Test (10MWT), another validated tool for quantifying walking function. Systematic reviews of the medical literature confirm the validity of the WISCI/ WISCI II 7 and its use together with the 10 MWT for assessment of ambulatory function. 8 It has been recommended by some, nonetheless, that the WISCI II undergo further evaluation. 6,7,9 Recent s...

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Assessing walking speed in clinical research: a systematic review

Abstract: Tests of walking speed have been used in a wide range of populations. However, methodologies and descriptions of walking tests vary widely from study to study, which makes comparison difficult. There is a need to find consensus for a standardized walking test methodology.

Cited by 358 publications

References 110 publications

Walking speed in elderly outpatients depends on the assessment method

Walking speed in elderly outpatients depends on the assessment method

Análise de métodos para detectar sarcopenia em idosas independentes da comunidade

The Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI/WISCI II): nature, metric properties, use and misuse

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