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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke
Published on: January 7, 2019
Reliability and validity of the L test in participants with chronic stroke
1Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
Objective:
Many clinical mobility tests have been used for individuals who have suffered a stroke; however, the ceiling effect has been identified as a limitation for relatively high functioning individuals. The L test, a variation of the timed up and go test (TUG), was developed as a mobility test for patients after amputation. The objective of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the L test among patients following a stroke.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Setting:
Rehabilitation hospital.
Participants:
Thirty-three chronic stroke survivors {20 males and 13 females, mean age 52.4 [standard deviation (SD) 11.2] years; mean time since stroke 29.1 (SD 13.3) months}.
Intervention:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
Validity was assessed by correlating the L test with other mobility tests (TUG, 10-m walk test and 2-minute walk test). Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to investigate reliability. The minimal detectable change (MDC) was used to determine true change.
Results:
The L test was strongly correlated with the TUG test (r=0.887), and had excellent intra-rater (ICC3,1=0.99) and inter-rater reliability (ICC2,1=0.99). The MDC with a 95% confidence interval was 4seconds.
Conclusions:
The L test is a reliable, valid tool for evaluating gait in patients following a stroke. It is a more applicable method to assess individuals who are able to walk greater distances and have better gait in more functional situations.
