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The timed 'Up & Go' is dependent on chair type.
K Siggeirsdóttir1, B Y Jónsson, H Jónsson
1Icelandic Heart Association, Research Institute, KOPAVOGUR. kristin@hjarta.is
Clinical Rehabilitation
|October 24, 2002
Summary
The timed Up & Go (TUG) test shows reliable timing between raters. However, chair type significantly impacts functional mobility test results, with armrests and specific heights recommended for accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The timed Up & Go (TUG) test is a key assessment for evaluating functional mobility in older adults.
- Understanding factors that may influence TUG test outcomes, such as equipment used, is crucial for accurate interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the TUG test's time score.
- To determine if different types of chairs affect the performance and results of the TUG test.
Main Methods:
- Inter-rater reliability was assessed using the TUG test on 31 elderly residents in a retirement home.
- The influence of four different chair types on TUG performance was evaluated in 100 elderly individuals across three healthcare settings.
Main Results:
- Excellent agreement was observed between the two raters for the TUG time score (mean difference = 0.04 s).
- Chair characteristics significantly impacted TUG performance: lower seats and lack of armrests increased difficulty (p < 0.001).
- A low seat height chair was the only type that presented difficulty when sitting down (p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
- The TUG test demonstrates high inter-rater reliability for time scoring.
- Chair selection is critical; standardized chairs with armrests and a seat height of 44-47 cm are recommended for consistent TUG results.
- Adherence to standardized equipment and procedures is essential to ensure the validity of TUG test findings in clinical practice.