Systematic review of timed stair tests

Abstract

Abstract-Functional testing is particularly useful in the clinic and for making research translatable; however, finding measures relevant across ages and different conditions can be difficult. A systematic review was conducted to investigate timed stair tests as an objective measure of functional abilities and musculoskeletal integrity. Data were analyzed for their ability to differentiate between controls and patient groups and between different patient groups. Literature was reviewed using the Medline, CINAHL, and PubMed databases until February 2012. Data were grouped according to methodology, ages, and medical conditions. Time per step was calculated to allow comparison between studies. Eighty-eight studies were included in this review. Methodologies varied considerably with stair ascent, stair descent, or a combination of the two being used across a wide range of ages and medical conditions. Times increased with age for ascent, descent, and combined and for a variety of medical problems. Timed stair tests appear to be sensitive to medical conditions but further data are required to obtain normative values for this test. We suggest that timed stair tests should follow a more standardized methodology using a combination of ascent and descent and asking participants to complete the stairs as quickly and safely as possible.

Functional outcome after surgery in patients with bone sarcoma around the knee; results from a long‐term prospective study

“…There were no significantly changes concerning the TUDS between the original study and the current study. However, it is not possible to compare these values with normal values, since there is no standard design for the TUDS and normal values are missing as a result …”

Falls, muscle strength, and functional abilities in community-dwelling elderly women

“…Limitations in performing these functions considerably restricts the elderly's life activity and social participation (3,17). Considered an advanced activity of daily life, the TUDS is a geriatric assessment that presents a significant value, because it can show functional difficulties with more precision than walking tests (14,27). The more years of life are accumulated, the more difficult it is to climb steps (18,29).…”

“…This assessment consists of recording the time to rise from a chair, walk three meters (or 10 steps), turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit down, everything in the usual speed (26). The TUDS was applied because it is considered a more challenging functional test for assessing the strength and power of lower limb muscles, especially hip flexors, knee extensors, dorsiflexors, and ankle joint plantar flexors (27). For the undertaking of this test, the volunteers were asked to climb eleven steps, turn around and go down, coming back to the of interest (mean peak force, functional tests, FES-I, and number of falls) were investigated through a linear regression test, alternating the variables "falls" and "FES-I" as dependent in the regression model.…”

Relationship between biomechanical asymmetries during a step up and over task and stair climbing after total knee arthroplasty

“…The use of handrail and the pattern of stair ascent and descent (step over step or step-to patterns) were recorded. Time started on the investigator’s command and stopped when the participants touched the ground with both feet after the last step (Kennedy et al 2005; Nightingale et al 2014). For the 6MW, participants were asked to walk as far as they could for 6 minutes along a 115 m squared hallway.…”