Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relative and absolute test-re-test reliability of a new
step-execution test, "Step-Ex", for clinical use in elderly with and without balance problems. METHOD: Test-re-test design to assess intrarater reliability.
Thirty-four healthy community-dwelling elderly (65-87 years), 16 with balance
problems, were tested twice two weeks apart. Step-Ex consists of two portable
force platforms that register vertical ground reaction forces connected to a
computer for easy detection of temporal events and phases (reaction-,
preparation-, stepping- and step execution phase). Standing with one foot on each
platform, the subjects were given a tactile stimulus on the heel to initiate
rapid steps forward. RESULTS: Test-re-test agreement was good to very good:
ICC(2)(.6) 0.83-0.87 (without balance problems) and 0.71-0.83 (with balance
problems) with no apparent systematic differences between the tests. The SEM,
i.e. the smallest detectable change that may indicate a real clinical improvement
for a group of individuals was small, 4.6-8.6%. The smallest real difference,
representing the smallest change that reveals clinical improvement for a single
individual, was 13-24%. CONCLUSION: Step-Ex is a highly reliable instrument and
can be recommended as an outcome measure evaluating the effects of balance
training in elderly people with and without balance deficits. IMPLICATIONS FOR
REHABILITATION: * Balance deficits are common in the elderly population. * To
evaluate the effects of treatment or changes over time it is of great importance
to have reliable instruments. * Step-Ex is a highly reliable instrument and can
be recommended as an outcome measure evaluating the effects of treatment or
changes over time in elderly people with and without balance deficits.

Langue : ANGLAIS