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Test-Retest Reliability, Validity, and Clinical Utility of the Modified Figure-of-Eight Balance Test with Tandem Gait
Lih-Jiun Liaw1,2,3, Hong-Ze Li4, Chia-Chi Yang2,5,6
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy (2001)
|May 19, 2026
Summary
The Modified Figure-of-Eight balance test with tandem gait (MFEtan) shows good reliability for assessing dynamic balance in older adults. This test can help monitor balance changes and guide interventions, especially when other tests have ceiling effects.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Maintaining dynamic balance is crucial for older adults to prevent mobility decline and support independent lifestyles.
- The Modified Figure-of-Eight balance test with tandem gait (MFEtan) specifically targets mediolateral stability and balance control during directional changes.
- This test is designed for high-functioning older adults and measures completion time and oversteps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the test-retest reliability of the MFEtan balance test.
- To assess the validity of the MFEtan test by comparing it with established balance assessments.
- To discuss the clinical utility of the MFEtan test for high-functioning older adults.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-two older adults (mean age 69.6 years) participated in the study.
- Participants completed the MFEtan test and other established balance tests (one-leg stance, Timed Up and Go, walking speed, Functional Gait Assessment).
- Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Bland-Altman analysis, and minimal detectable change (MDC).
Main Results:
- The MFEtan test demonstrated good test-retest reliability for both completion time (ICC=0.85) and oversteps (ICC=0.93).
- Minimal detectable change (MDC95) was 9.49 seconds (26.68%) for completion time and 1.8 steps (62.63%) for oversteps.
- Significant correlations were found between oversteps and one-leg stance (r=-0.45) and Functional Gait Assessment (r=-0.54), indicating associations with static and dynamic balance control.
Conclusions:
- The MFEtan balance test exhibits good test-retest reliability and partial construct validity.
- It effectively measures distinct aspects of balance performance in older adults.
- The MFEtan test can be a valuable tool for monitoring balance and guiding interventions, particularly when other tests are limited by ceiling effects.
