The Timed "up and go" test: reliability and validity in persons with unilateral lower limb amputation

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Geriatrics
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Physical mobility is crucial for independence in elderly individuals.
• Lower extremity amputations significantly impact mobility and quality of life.
• Reliable and valid assessment tools are needed for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the interrater and intrarater reliability of the Timed "up and go" test.
• To determine the validity of the Timed "up and go" test for assessing physical mobility in elderly patients with lower extremity amputations.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two elderly patients (≥60 years) with unilateral transtibial or transfemoral amputations participated.
• Interrater reliability was assessed by two observers on the same day.
• Intrarater reliability was assessed by one observer over two visits, two weeks apart.
• Validity was examined by comparing Timed "up and go" results with the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP68) and Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS).

Main Results:

• The Timed "up and go" test demonstrated excellent intrarater (r = .93) and interrater (r = .96) reliability.
• A moderate correlation was found with the GARS, and a good correlation with the physical subscales of the SIP68.
• No significant relationship was observed with the mental subscales of the SIP68.

Conclusions:

• The Timed "up and go" test is a reliable and valid tool for assessing physical mobility in elderly patients with lower extremity amputations.
• Its good reliability and concurrent validity support its use in clinical practice and research for this population.