Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025
The Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill for Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation
Published on: July 22, 2019
Construct validity and reliability of the 2-minute step test in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Thiago Felipe de Morais Almeida1,2, Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho1, Fernanda de Freitas Thomaz2
1Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Núcleo de Esportes, Primeiro andar, Avenida dos Portugueses, 1966, Vila Bacanga, São Luís, MA, 65080805, Brazil.
Objective:
To validate and evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the 2-min step test (2MST) in measuring the functional performance of patients with knee pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods:
Forty-one patients with knee OA was included. Two examiners assessed the patients at two times with interval between the test and retest from 7 to 14 days. All executions of 2MST were recorded in real time by the examiners and were also recorded by video. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (CI), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable difference (MDD) were used to determine reliability. In the construct validity, we correlate the score of the 2MST with the other instruments used in the study: The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Numerical Pain Scale (NPS), Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale (PCTS) and Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (PSEQ). The agreement between the face-to-face assessment and the evaluation based on the video record was assessed using the Bland-Altman methodology in the 4 moments of the 2MST.
Results:
2MST presented excellent intra- (ICC = 0.94, SEM = 4.47, MDD = 12.40) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.97, SEM = 3.07, MDD = 8.52). The agreement was acceptable between face-to-face assessments and the analyzes performed on video. All instruments showed a statistically significant correlation with 2MST, except the PCTS. A correlation magnitude above 0.50 was found between the 2MST and pain and function domains of the WOMAC, and a correlation magnitude between 0.30 and 0.50 with the joint stiffness domain of the WOMAC, NRPS and PSEQ.
Conclusion:
2MST proved to be valid for assessing functional capacity in patients with knee OA, with excellent reliability.
