Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
08:07
Traditional Trail Making Test Modified into Brand-new Assessment Tools: Digital and Walking Trail Making Test
Published on: November 23, 2019
Association between the Trail Making Test and physical performance in elderly Japanese
Chika Hirota1, Misuzu Watanabe, Wei Sun
1Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Division of Preventive and Social Medicine, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan.
Geriatrics & Gerontology International
|January 28, 2010
Summary
The Trail Making Test (TMT) effectively assesses executive function in older Japanese adults, correlating strongly with mobility and physical performance. This test can serve as a valuable tool for health programs aimed at maintaining independence in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuropsychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a Western-validated tool for assessing executive function.
- Limited data exists on TMT's utility in Japanese elderly populations.
- Previous research indicated a TMT association with mobility in community-dwelling elderly Japanese.
Purpose of the Study:
- To further investigate and clarify the association between the Trail Making Test (TMT) and mobility-related functions in a larger cohort of elderly Japanese.
- To determine the TMT's effectiveness as an indicator of executive function and physical performance in older adults in Japan.
Main Methods:
- Administered the TMT (Parts A and B) to 493 Japanese individuals aged 65+.
- Calculated the time difference (DeltaTMT) between TMT Part B and Part A.
- Assessed eight physical performance indicators, including walking speed, timed Up & Go (TUG), balance, grip strength, and complex gait parameters.
Main Results:
- The median DeltaTMT was 64.01s for men and 65.56s for women, increasing with age but showing no sex difference.
- Poor DeltaTMT scores were significantly associated with lower tertiles across all physical performance measures.
- Associations were also found with intermediate tertiles for timed Up & Go (TUG), maximum walking speed, dual-task TUG, stair climbing, and obstacle-negotiating gait.
Conclusions:
- The Trail Making Test (TMT), specifically DeltaTMT, reflects complex walking performance in elderly Japanese.
- TMT can be a valuable synthetic indicator for health programs focused on promoting independence in older Japanese adults.
- This study supports the TMT's utility in evaluating executive function and its link to physical capabilities in a Japanese geriatric population.
