Reliability and validity of the sequential weight-shifting test: a new functional approach to the assessment of the sitting balance of older adults.
Ken Y T Lee, Christina W Y Hui-Chan, William W N Tsang
PMID 28174470WHAT IT FOUND
A new seated weight-shifting test gave moderately consistent results when repeated a week later in older adults who needed help walking.
It also tracked reach, grip strength, mobility, and breathing measures. It needs force platforms, so it is not a simple clinic test.
Key findings
01The test showed moderate reliability: the score was 0.67, and the 95% confidence interval was 0.12 to 0.91.
02Sequential weight-shifting time was significantly related to forward reach (r = -0.74), hand grip strength (right r = -0.666; left r = -0.615), and forced vital capacity (r = -0.594).
03No adverse events occurred during the tests, and all obtained data were used in the analyses.
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 reliability analysis used only 10 older adults, so the estimate is imprecise. The relationship analysis used 23 older adults recruited by convenience sampling, so the results may not apply to other settings. The participants were very old, with mean ages of 88.0 and 85.6 years, and had low mobility. The paper does not provide cutoff points for sequential weight-shifting time or fall risk. The test requires force platforms and technical expertise, which limits routine clinical use. Only one sequential weight-shifting trial was performed to avoid fatigue. This may have affected reliability. The mini-mental status examination scores were 19.9 and 19.0, and the paper says cognitive impairment may make the test difficult. The paper reports correlations with other tests, not evidence that the test prevents falls or improves function.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the sequential weight-shifting test can diagnose sitting balance problems or predict falls in routine care. The study found only moderate consistency and correlations, and the paper says cutoff points for fall risk remain to be determined.