Citation

Mathurapongsakul P, Siriphorn A. J. Aging Phys. Act. 2018; 26(4): 624-628.

Affiliation

1 Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/japa.2017-0363

PMID

29431557

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare the use of the four square step test (FSST) and the four square step test with foam surface (FSST+foam) scores for discriminating between adults, faller older adults, and non-faller older adults.

METHODS: Fifty-four participants (18 for each group) were assessed using the FSST and FSST+foam. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated and used to compare the accuracy of the tests.

RESULTS: The FSST+foam was more accurate than FSST for discriminating between faller and non-faller older adults (AUCs were 0.765 and 0.725, respectively.) and between non-faller older adults and adults (AUCs were 0.99 and 0.95, respectively.). The cutoff score for discriminating between faller and non-faller older adults was 11.21, with sensitivity and specificity of 0.889 and 0.611, respectively.

CONCLUSION: FSST+foam could be used as an alternative assessment for discriminating between adults, faller and non-faller older adults.

Language: en

Keywords

aging; balance assessment; unstable surface