Step Test

Chronic Stroke: (Hong et al, 2012; n = 30; where n =15 were stroke patients with mean age 57.7 (8.2) years; duration average post-stroke 5.6 (3.8) years; and n = 15 were healthy adults with mean age 57.3 (3.6) years) 

• A cutoff score of 13 on the paretic side was found to distinguish the patients with stroke from the healthy adults older than 50 years at a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 87%. A cutoff score of 11 on the non-paretic side was found to distinguish the patients with stroke from the healthy adults at a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 67%. (Hong et al, 2012) 

 

Stroke: (Blennerhassett et al, 2012; n = 30; mean age 66.0 (49.3–72.0) years; median of inpatient stay 43.5 (20.5–72.0) days; median of time since discharge 14.5 (9.0–27.0) months)

• The cutoff scores were < 250m for the 6MWT, <10 steps on the ST, and a failure or ≥ 15 seconds to complete the FSST. (Blennerhassett et al, 2012)

Chronic Stroke: (Hong et al, 2012)

Mean Values of Demographics and ST Scores in 2 Subject Groups:

Descriptor

Mean Values

 

 

 

Healthy (n=15)

Stroke (n=15)

P

Age (y)

57.3(3.6)

57.7(8.2)

.841

Ethnicity

Chinese

Chinese

NA

Sex (M/F)

2/13

11/4

.001*

Height (m)

1.56(0.08)

1.63(0.08)

.012*

Weight (kg)

56.4(10.04)

68.1(11.79)

.007*

Body Mass Index (kg/m^2)

23.1(2.55)

25.3(2.76)

.035*

Right/nonparetic side

18.7(4.0)

11.0(4.2)

NA

Left/paretic side

18.6(4.0)

8.1(4.1)

NA

NOTE: Values are mean +/- SD or as otherwise noted; Abbreviations: F, femal; M, male; NA, not applicable; *Significant difference at P<.05.

 

 

 

 

Stroke: (Blennerhassett et al, 2012)

Details of 30 Participants:

Characteristics

Data

Age (y)

66(49.3-72.0)

Inpatient Stay (d)

43.5(20.5-72.0)

Time Since Discharge (mo)

14.5(9.0-27.0)

Men

20(69)

Infarct

24(83)

Hemorrhage

5(17)

Side Affected

Right 12; Left 14; Bilateral 4

Using a Gait Aid

SPS 7; 4WhF4

Living Situation

Alone 7; with others 22; at college 1

NOTE: Values are median (interquartile range), n (%), or n.  Abbreviations:  SPS, single point stick; 4WhF, 4-wheeled frame

 

Stroke: (Hill et al, 1996; n = 82; mean age 72.5 years, mean 54 days post-stroke)

• Excellent test-retest reliability was high in a subgroup (ICC>0.90) and 21 stroke patients (ICC>0.88).

Chronic Stroke: (Hong et al, 2012)

• Excellent interrater reliability ICC from 0.996 to 0.999 
• Excellent intrarater reliability ICC from 0.981 to 0.995

Stroke: (Blennerhassett et al, 2012)

Risk Ratios and Ability of Balance and Mobility Tests to Predict Falls:

Variable

FSST

ST

6MWT

 

≥ 15s or Fail

<10 reps

<250m

Sensitivity (%)

92

85

64

Specificity (%)

69

59

88

Positive Predictive (%)

92

83

78

Negative Predictive (%)

69

61

78

Risk Ratio (95% CI)

2.9(1.4-6.2)

2.1(1.0-3.8)

3.5(1.0-12.2)

Abbreviation: reps, repetitions; FSST: Four Square Step Test; ST: Step Test; 6MWT: 6-Minute Wakl Test