Article

PURPOSE: To provide an overview of walking tests including their measurement
properties that have been used in stroke survivors. METHOD: Electronic databases
were searched using specific search strategies. Retrieved studies were selected
by using specified inclusion criteria. A modified consensus-based standards for
the selection of health status measurement instruments (COSMIN) checklist was
applied for methodological quality assessment of the included studies. A quality
assessment for statistical outcomes was used to assess measurement properties of
the walking tests. Tests that were included were categorized according to the
framework of the international classification of functioning, disability and
health (ICF). RESULTS: Thirty-two studies, evaluating 23 walking tests, were
included. The tests assessed walking using the outcome measures of walking speed,
walking distance, functional ambulation and walking on different surfaces. The
methodological design and statistical methods of most studies evaluating
reliability and criterion validity were sufficient, and found the outcome
measures to be reliable and valid. However, data on measurement error, minimal
important difference and minimal important change were lacking and responsiveness
was correctly evaluated in one study only. CONCLUSIONS:
Many walking tests have
been clinimetrically evaluated in stroke survivors. Most walking tests were found
to be reliable and valid.

Langue : ANGLAIS