Reliability and validity of Alternate Step Test times in subjects with chronic stroke

J Rehabil Med. 2014 Nov;46(10):969-74. doi: 10.2340/16501977-1877.

Abstract

Objective: (i) To investigate the intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of the Alternate Step Test (AST) when assessing people with chronic stroke. (ii) To quantify the correlation between AST times and stroke-specific impairments.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University-based rehabilitation centre.

Participants: A convenience sample of 86 participants: 45 with chronic stroke, and 41 healthy elderly subjects.

Methods: The AST was administered along with the Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity Assessment (FMA-LE), the Five Times Sit-To-Stand Test (FTSTS), limits of stability (LOS) measurements, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, Chinese-translated Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC-C) ratings, and the Timed "Up and Go" test (TUG).

Results: Excellent intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability were found, with a minimal detectable change of 3.26 s. AST times were significantly associated with FMA-LE assessment, FTSTS times, LOS in the forward and backward directions and to the affected side, BBS ratings and TUG times.

Conclusion: AST time is a reliable assessment tool that correlates with different stroke-specific impairments in people with chronic stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disability Evaluation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Postural Balance / physiology
  • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Stroke / physiopathology
  • Stroke Rehabilitation*