Article

This study assessed the validity of the shuttle walk test (SWT) to
evaluate walking ability in patients with polyneuropathy. METHODS: Forty-one
patients with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) and 49 patients
with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) performed both the 10-meter walk test
(10MWT) and the SWT. Face validity was assessed by evaluating whether patients
considered both tests to reflect their walking ability
(Likert scale: 1 = not at
all, 10 = very well). Concurrent validity was determined by Spearman
rank-correlation analyses performed on the outcomes of both tests. RESULTS: Mean
(SD) scores for how well the 10MWT and SWT reflected daily walking ability were
6.8 (1.3) and 7.4 (1.6) (p = 0.117) in patients with CIAP and 6.9 (1.2) and 7.9
(1.0) (p = 0.001) in patients with MMN, respectively. Correlation scores between
both tests ranged from -0.70 to -0.82, except for 18 patients with MMN with a
"normal" walking speed at the 10MWT (-0.21). CONCLUSION: The SWT seems a valid
instrument for assessing walking ability in individuals with CIAP and MMN.
Moreover, the SWT seems to be useful for investigating the symptoms elicited by
walking long distances and may be more sensitive to changes when compared to the
10MWT. Implications for Rehabilitation Patients with polyneuropathy mainly
experience problems when walking long distances. The 10-meter walk test does not
possess sufficient psychometrics to diagnose walking abilities in these
circumstances. The shuttle walk test is a valid instrument for assessing walking
ability in individuals with polyneuropathy and might be the preferred instrument
of choice when compared to the 10-meter walk test.

Langue : ANGLAIS