Article

The number of available walking tests has increased dramatically over the past
decades. Therefore, it is highly important to help clinicians choose the most
appropriate walking test for a specific setting.
This systematic review aimed to
critically evaluate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of clinical
walking speed in a broad population of elderly persons living in the community,
sheltered housing, or institutions. Literature searches were performed in several
different databases. Key words were based on the topic of the measurement
properties of performance-based clinical tools for quantifying walking. The
instrument selected for review was walking speed. The methods and results of all
the evaluated measurement properties were rated by using a standard checklist for
appraising the qualitative attributes and measurement properties of the
instrument. A total number of 3,781 abstracts were reviewed, and 86 articles were
chosen for inclusion. Habitual walking speed seems to be highly reliable in
community-dwelling people and residents in mixed settings. There have not been
any studies that accord with our inclusion and exclusion criteria that have
evaluated the reliability of maximum walking speed in an aged population. Walking
speed is a highly valid test, both at habitual and maximum speed. Few studies
gave information about responsiveness for walking speed, which means that these
results cannot be evaluated properly. Habitual walking speed is a reliable
measure, but maximum walking speed needs further evaluation. Both habitual and
maximum walking speeds are valid instruments, and they predict death,
hospitalization/institutionalization, and decline in mobility.

Langue : ANGLAIS