Normative reference values for Obstacles Test and Curb Test and their correlation with demographic characteristics: a cross-sectional study in Saudi children.
Banan A Almass, Maha F Algabbani, Afaf A M Shaheen and 1 others
PMID 36538585WHAT IT FOUND
Researchers established age and sex norms for two timed walking tests in Saudi children aged 6 to 11.
Older children and boys completed the tests faster. Height and weight also correlated with speed, but body mass index did not. Prediction equations are provided to help judge if a child's performance falls outside typical range.
Key findings
01Normative values were established for the Obstacles Test and Curb Test in typically developing children aged 6 to 11 years.
02Age and sex were the most significant predictors of test performance, with boys and older children completing the tests faster.
03Test times showed fair negative correlations with height, age, and weight, but did not correlate with BMI percentage.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was drawn exclusively from one city in Saudi Arabia, so the norms may not apply to children from other geographic or cultural backgrounds. The study only included children aged 6 to 11 years, so the equations cannot be used for younger or older children. The prediction equations explained a relatively small amount of the variance in test times (14% for the Obstacles Test and 17% for the Curb Test), meaning age and sex alone are not strong predictors of individual performance. The study did not compare these tests with other common walking measures like the Timed Up and Go or the 10-Meter Walk Test. The norms were established in typically developing children, so their direct application to children with disabilities requires further validation.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not apply these prediction equations to individual children outside the 6 to 11 age range or from different geographic populations. The equations explain only 14% to 17% of the variance in test times, so they should be used as a rough guide rather than a definitive diagnostic cutoff.