Article

Research concerning the assessment of turns during walking in healthy older
adults is scarce. This study compared three independent assessments of entry and
exit points of turns during walking; participant, clinical rater, and a computer
algorithm. Nineteen non-demented and nondisabled older adults (mean age 75.40 +/-
5.52 years) participated in the current study. Results revealed that overall the
three assessment methods were consistent (68-100% agreement). However,
participants determined their turn exit point before the algorithm, (-304.53 +/-
326.67 ms), t(18) = -4.06, p = .001, 95% CI [-461.98, -147.08], and clinical
rater, (-225.79 +/- 303.79 ms), t(18) = -3.24, p = .005, 95% CI [-372.21,
-79.37]. The differences in turn determination between the algorithm and rater
were significant at turn entry points (131.24 +/- 127.25 ms), t(18) = 4.50, p <
.001, 95% CI [69.91, 192.58] but not at turn exit points (-78.74 +/- 259.66 ms),
t(18) = -1.32, p < .20, 95% CI [-203.89, -46.41]. Greater time discrepancies in
assessing turn exit points between the participants and both the algorithm and
clinical rater were associated with worse visuospatial performance. Despite the
relatively small difference among the three assessments of turns, they were
consistent and can be utilized interchangeably. Further studies are necessary to
determine whether differences in the ability to accurately determine turns entry
and exit points are related to fall risk in normal and disease populations.
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Langue : ANGLAIS