The Step Test measures dynamic balance during an activity requiring weight-shift and movement while in single-leg stance as well as paretic-lower-extremity motor control in patients with stroke.
1
less than 5 minutes
Initially reviewed by Krishneshwar Kamineni, PT, MPT in 12/2012.
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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)
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)
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)
Chronic Stroke: (Hong et al, 2012)
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 |
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|
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Blennerhassett, J. M., Dite, W., et al. (2012). "Changes in balance and walking from stroke rehabilitation to the community: A follow-up observational study." Arch Phys Med Rehabil 93(10): 1782-1787. Find it on PubMed
Hill, K. D. (1996). "A new test of dynamic standing balance for stroke patients: reliability, validity and comparison with healthy elderly." Physiotherapy Canada 48(4): 257-262.
Hong, S. J., Goh, E. Y., et al. (2012). "Reliability and validity of step test scores in subjects with chronic stroke." Arch Phys Med Rehabil 93(6): 1065-1071. Find it on PubMed
Mercer, V. S., Freburger, J. K., et al. (2009). "Step Test scores are related to measures of activity and participation in the first 6 months after stroke." Phys Ther 89(10): 1061-1071. Find it on PubMed
We have reviewed more than 500 instruments for use with a number of diagnoses including stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury among several others.