Intertrial and test-retest reliabilities of Timed Bridge tests among frail older adults.
The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of three versions of the Timed Bridge test (TB test) using the generalizability theory. A convenience sample of 30 frail older adults, from 65 to 94 years of age, performed three different TB Tests: 1) hold test (TB-Static); 2) five-repetitions dynamic test (TB-5rep); and 3) 60-second dynamic test (TB-60s). The tests were repeated twice on two occasions separated by a 48-hour interval. For each trial, the height of the bridge, the time of execution or the number of repetitions, the pain, and perceived effort were recorded. The intertrial and test-retest reliability for bridge heights were excellent. For the duration and the number of repetitions, a good intertrial reliability was found (0.83 <Phi< 0.94; SEMs 11.1 s, 2.9 s, and 4.2 rep), and the test-retest reliability was good for the TB-60 s and moderate for TB-Static and for the TB-5rep. The different tests were generally well tolerated by the subjects. The level of exertion perceived by the participants was light for the TB-5rep and moderate for the TB-Static and TB-60 s. The TB tests were simple to execute, showed good clinical applicability, and provided reliable measurements in a geriatric population.
Pilon
Manon
M
Centre de santé et de services sociaux Bordeaux-Cartierville-St-Laurent, Centre hébergement Notre-Dame de la Merci, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3L 1K5. ccndi.physiotherapie@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Nadeau
Sylvie
S
Piotte
France
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors