Article

The Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8W) involves straight and curved paths
and was designed to represent walking skill in everyday life. The
purposes of this study were to validate the measure in older adults with walking
difficulties and to explore correlates of the curved-path walking measure not
represented by a straight-path walking measure. DESIGN: Fifty-one
community-dwelling older adults with mobility disability participated in 2
baseline visits as part of an intervention study.
METHODS: The F8W time, steps,
and smoothness and measures of gait (gait speed, modified Gait Abnormality Rating
Scale [GARS-M]), physical function (Late Life Function and Disabilities Index
[LLFDI], Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly [SAFFE], Gait
Efficacy Scale [GES], Physical Performance Test [PPT], and fall history), and
movement control and planning (gait variability, Trail Making Test B [Trails B])
were recorded in each test session. Bivariate correlations for the F8W with each
variable were conducted to examine concurrent and construct validity. Adjusted
linear regression analyses were performed to explore the variance in mobility
explained by F8W independent of gait speed. RESULTS: Figure-of-8 Walk Test time
correlated with gait (gait speed, r=-.570; GARS-M, r=.281), physical function
(LLFDI function, r=-.469; SAFFE restriction subscale, r=.370; PPT, r=-.353),
confidence in walking (GES, r=-.468), and movement control (step length
coefficient of variation, r=.279; step width coefficient of variation, r=-.277;
Trails B, r=.351). Figure-of-8 Walk Test steps correlated with step width
variability (r=-.339) and was related to fear of falling (t=-2.50). All
correlations were significant (P<.05). LIMITATIONS: This pilot study had a small
sample size, and further research is needed. CONCLUSIONS: The F8W is a valid
measure of walking skill among older adults with mobility disability and may
provide information complementary to gait speed.

Langue : ANGLAIS