Interrater Reliability and Validity of the Stair Ascend/Descend Test in Subjects With Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

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.

Intensive supervision of rehabilitation programme improves balance and functionality in the short term after bilateral total knee arthroplasty

“…In terms of functionality, the pain, ROM and muscle deficits may cause imbalance and lead to a decrease in walking speed, difficulties in climbing up-down stairs, and standing on one foot [1,5,21]. In the present study, more improvement was obtained for both legs in Group 1 when compared to Group 2 at the first and second months.…”

Early High-Intensity Rehabilitation Following Total Knee Arthroplasty Improves Outcomes

“…The minimally detectable change associated with the 90% confidence interval (MDC 90 ) for this measure has been estimated to be between 2.6 and 5.5 seconds in patients recovering from TKA, depending on the time point assessed. 1,16 The TUG measures the time to rise from an arm chair, walk 3 m, turn around, and return to sitting in the same chair without physical assistance. 30 The MDC 90 for the TUG in patients the first 1.5 months after TKA is 2.49 seconds.…”

Body Mass Index and Functional Mobility Outcome Following Early Rehabilitation After a Total Knee Replacement: A Retrospective Study in Taiwan

“…The results of the SCT moderately correlate with muscle strength of the lower extremities in elderly persons, and the SCT has demonstrated acceptable reliability for assessing mobility in TKR patients, with an ICC of 0.90 (95% CI 0.79, 0.96) (47). The patients in our study used handrails and walking aids to complete the SCT, if needed.…”