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Validity of the Timed Up and Go Test as a Measure of Functional Mobility in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
Emerson Sebastião1, Brian M Sandroff1, Yvonne C Learmonth1
1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
Objective:
To examine the validity of the timed Up and Go (TUG) test as a measure of functional mobility in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) by using a comprehensive framework based on construct validity (ie, convergent and divergent validity).
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Hospital setting.
Participants:
Community-residing persons with MS (N=47).
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
Main outcome measures included the TUG test, timed 25-foot walk test, 6-minute walk test, Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12, Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument, posturography evaluation, Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, Symbol Digits Modalities Test, Expanded Disability Status Scale, and the number of steps taken per day.
Results:
The TUG test was strongly associated with other valid outcome measures of ambulatory mobility (Spearman rank correlation, rs=.71-.90) and disability status (rs=.80), moderately to strongly associated with balance confidence (rs=.66), and weakly associated with postural control (ie, balance) (rs=.31). The TUG test was moderately associated with cognitive processing speed (rs=.59), but not associated with other nonambulatory measures (ie, Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument-upper extremity function).
Conclusions:
Our findings support the validity of the TUG test as a measure of functional mobility. This warrants its inclusion in patients' assessment alongside other valid measures of functional mobility in both clinical and research practice in persons with MS.
