Measurement properties of the L test for gait in hospitalized elderly.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the reliability, validity, and predictive value of the L test, a performance-based walk test, among older inpatients.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study involving a consecutive sample of 50 older adults (mean age 84 +/- 5 yrs) admitted to the geriatric unit of a tertiary care hospital. Application of the L test twice and single application of the timed "up and go" test (TUG), and the Frailty and Injuries Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques (FICSIT-4) balance scale, were conducted.


RESULTS
Interrater and intrarater reliability (two-way ANOVA intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC]) of the L test was 1.00 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.99-1.00) and 0.97, respectively (CI, 0.95-0.98). Hypothesized associations with the TUG and FICSIT-4 were observed (Pearson product-moment correlation, r = 0.96 and r = -0.45, respectively; P < 0.01) with regard to magnitude and direction of the relationship. L test times demonstrated a small but statistically significant independent risk factor for discharge destination after hospitalization (odds ratio = 1.05; CI, 1.01-1.09) after adjustment for age, sex, and cognitive status.


CONCLUSIONS
The L test provides reliable, valid data when assessing basic walking skills among older adults in a hospital environment. The L test is potentially an important clinical and research tool to assess the mobility function of older inpatients as they transition back to the community.
Nguyen
Viem C
VC
Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Miller
William C
WC
Asano
Miho
M
Wong
Roger Y
RY
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results