| Title | Timed up & go test score in patients with hip fracture is related to the type of walking aid. | | Author(s) | Kristensen MT, Bandholm T, Holm B, Ekdahl C, Kehlet H | | Institution | Department of Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. mortentange@hotmail.com | | Source | Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2009 Oct; 90(10):1760-5. | | MeSH | Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Crutches
Female
Hip Fractures
Hospitals, University
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mobility Limitation
Physical Therapy Modalities
Prospective Studies
Walkers
Walking
| | Abstract | Kristensen MT, Bandholm T, Holm B, Ekdahl C, Kehlet H. Timed Up & Go test score in patients with hip fracture is related to the type of walking aid.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between Timed Up & Go (TUG) test scores and type of walking aid used during the test, and to determine the feasibility of using the rollator as a standardized walking aid during the TUG in patients with hip fracture who were allowed full weight-bearing (FWB).
DESIGN: Prospective methodological study.
SETTING: An acute orthopedic hip fracture unit at a university hospital.
PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=126; 90 women, 36 men) with hip fracture with a mean age +/- SD of 74.8+/-12.7 years performed the TUG the day before discharge from the orthopedic ward.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The TUG was performed with the walking aid the patient was to be discharged with: a walker (n=88) or elbow crutches (n=38). In addition, all patients also performed the TUG using a rollator.
RESULTS: Patients who performed the TUG with a walker were on average 13.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.2-16.1) seconds faster using a rollator compared with the walker (P<.001). Correspondingly, patients who performed the TUG with crutches were on average 3.5 (95% CI, 1.5-5.4) seconds faster using a rollator compared with elbow crutches (P=.001). In both patient groups, the between walking-aid scores were strongly correlated (r>.833, P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS: TUG scores are significantly related to the type of walking aid used during the test in patients with hip fracture who are allowed FWB when discharged from the hospital, but all patients were able to perform the TUG using the rollator as a standardized walking aid. Our findings indicate the importance of using a standardized walking aid when evaluating changes or comparing TUG scores in patients with hip fracture. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
| | PubMed ID | 19801068 |
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