Functional tests in elderly osteoarthritic subjects: variability of performance

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Osteoarthritis commonly affects the elderly, impacting functional mobility.
• Assessing functional ability is crucial for managing osteoarthritis progression and treatment effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance variability of timed walking and sit-to-stand tests.
• To determine the reliability of these functional tests in elderly osteoarthritic subjects.

Main Methods:

• Thirteen elderly subjects with osteoarthritis performed a 10-meter timed walk (time and strides recorded).
• Fourteen elderly subjects with osteoarthritis performed five sit-to-stand movements from a 48 cm plinth.
• Each test was repeated three times, with a two-minute rest, across three separate occasions within one week.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were found in the time taken for the 10-meter walk across nine tests (p < 0.05).
• No significant difference was observed in the number of strides taken during the timed walk.
• The mean coefficient of variation for walking time was 7.3%, indicating good reliability.
• No significant difference was observed in the time taken for the sit-to-stand test across nine repetitions.

Conclusions:

• Timed walking and sit-to-stand tests demonstrate acceptable variability for elderly osteoarthritic individuals.
• These functional tests are reliable for sequential measurements in clinical settings.
• The findings support the use of these simple tests to monitor functional changes in osteoarthritis patients.