Evaluation of the single leg stance test for an annual preventative physical therapy visit and the effect of education on the perceived value of test results as a health Indicator

Review written by Dr Mariana Wingood info

Key Points

  1. The single leg stance test was identified as having a ceiling effect; thus, it is not an appropriate measure for an annual mobility assessment.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Mobility disability, defined as inability to walk 400 meters and climb a flight of stairs without assistance, is associated with increased risk of falling and needing assistance with activities of daily living, resulting in the need for a caregiver or long-term care. Annual mobility checkups or preventative physical therapy visits can help identify mobility concerns prior to an older adult experiencing mobility disability. However, it is unclear what outcome measures should be included in the annual mobility checkups (1,2).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the Single Leg Stance test (SLST) for an annual preventative physical therapy visit and the impact of educating about the SLST and walking speed test results as health indicators.

Mobility disability is associated with increased risk of falling and needing assistance with activities of daily living, resulting in the need for a caregiver or long-term care.
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This study found that balance should continue to be assessed via Functional Gait Assessment due to the ceiling effect of the single leg stance test.

METHODS

Study design: A cross-sectional study.

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