HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Whitney, S. L Articles by Furman, J. M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Whitney, S. L Articles by Furman, J. M

Clinical Measurement of Sit-to-Stand Performance in People With Balance Disorders: Validity of Data for the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test

SL Whitney, PT, PhD, NCS, ATC, is Assistant Professor, Departments of Physical Therapy and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa, and Program Director, Physical Therapy Department, Centers for Rehab Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pa
DM Wrisley, PT, PhD, NCS, is Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, and Physical Therapist, Centers for Rehab Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
GF Marchetti, PT, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Rangos School of Health Professions, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa
MA Gee, BS, is a student, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC
MS Redfern, PhD, is Professor, Department of Bioengineering, Otolaryngology, and Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh
JM Furman, MD, PhD, is Professor, Departments of Otolaryngology, Physical Therapy, and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh

Address all correspondence to Dr Whitney at Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, 6035 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (USA) (whitney{at}pitt.edu)

Background and Purpose. People with balance disorders are characterized as having difficulty with transitional movements, such as the sit-to-stand movement. A valid and feasible tool is needed to help clinicians quantify the ability of people with balance disorders to perform transitional movements. The purpose of this study was to describe the concurrent and discriminative validity of data obtained with the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST). The FTSST was compared with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Subjects and Methods. Eighty-one subjects without balance disorders and 93 subjects with balance disorders were recruited for the study. Each subject was asked to stand from a 43-cm-high chair 5 times as quickly as possible. The ABC and DGI scores were recorded. Results. Subjects with balance disorders performed the FTSST more slowly than subjects without balance disorders. Discriminant analysis demonstrated that the FTSST correctly identified 65% of subjects with balance dysfunction, the ABC identified 80%, and the DGI identified 78%. The ability of the FTSST to identify subjects with balance dysfunction was better for subjects younger than 60 years of age (81%). Discussion and Conclusion. The FTSST displays discriminative and concurrent validity properties that make this test potentially useful in clinical decision making, although overall the ABC and the DGI are better than the FTSST at discriminating between subjects with and subjects without balance disorders.

Key Words: Balance • Measurement • Sit-to-Stand Test • Validity

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. F Marchetti, S. L Whitney, P. J Blatt, L. O Morris, and J. M Vance Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Gait During Performance of the Dynamic Gait Index in People With and People Without Balance or Vestibular Disorders Physical Therapy, May 1, 2008; 88(5): 640 - 651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Etnyre and D. Q Thomas Event Standardization of Sit-to-Stand Movements Physical Therapy, December 1, 2007; 87(12): 1651 - 1666. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Netz, S. Axelrad, and E. Argov Group physical activity for demented older adults feasibility and effectiveness Clinical Rehabilitation, November 1, 2007; 21(11): 977 - 986. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. D. Cakit, M. Saracoglu, H. Genc, H. R. Erdem, and L. Inan The effects of incremental speed-dependent treadmill training on postural instability and fear of falling in Parkinson's disease Clinical Rehabilitation, August 1, 2007; 21(8): 698 - 705. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. F Marchetti and S. L Whitney Construction and Validation of the 4-Item Dynamic Gait Index Physical Therapy, December 1, 2006; 86(12): 1651 - 1660. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]