Comparison of psychometric properties of the dual-task timed up-and-go test (cognitive) and the 3-m walk backward test in community-dwelling stroke patients

Background: There is a need for practical, easy-to-use and accurately assessing balance tools in stroke patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the dual-task Timed Up-and-Go test (cognitive) (DTUG) and the 3-m walk backward test (3MBWT) in stroke patients.

Methods: This study evaluated the practicality, validity, and reliability of the DTUG and the 3MBWT. The test-retest method was used for reliability. The Modified Four Square Step Test (MFSST), the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were administered for concurrent validity. A cutoff value was calculated to discriminate between fallers and non-fallers.

Results: The mean practicality times of the tests were 63.58 ± 47.32 sec for DTUG and 37.42 ± 24.036 sec for 3MBWT. Intraclass correlation coefficient of the DTUG and 3MBWT were 0.977, 0.964, respectively which showed excellent test - retest reliability. The DTUG demonstrated strong/very strong correlations with the MFSST (r = 0.724, p < 0.001), TUG (r = 0.909, p < 0.001), and BBS (r = -0.740, p < 0.001). The 3MBWT showed strong correlations with the MFSST (r = 0.835, p < 0.001), the TUG (r = 0.799, p < 0.001), and the BBS (r = -0.740, p < 0.001). The cutoff point was 36.945 s for DTUG and 14.605 s for 3MBWT.

Conclusions: The 3MBWT was a more practical test than the DTUG; however, the DTUG was more discriminative than the 3MBWT in identifying fallers after stroke.

Clinical trial registration number: NCT05211349.

Url: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000BRKZ&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0005GRO&ts=2&cx=z21bhg.