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Reliability, validity, and minimal detectable change of the Step Test in patients with total knee arthroplasty

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Abstract

Background

Step Test (ST) is frequently used to assess dynamic balance and locomotor function in clinical practice.

Aims

This study aimed to determine the concurrent validity, reliability, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the ST in patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

The study included 56 patients with TKA. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the test–retest reliability of the ST. The correlations of the ST with timed up and go (TUG) and 10-m walk test (10MWT) were assessed for concurrent validity.

Results

Test–retest (ICC 0.90) reliability of the ST was determined to be excellent. The SEM and MDC95 values of test–retest reliability were 0.76 and 2.11, respectively. A significantly moderate correlation was found between the ST and TUG (p < 0.05, r: − 0.69), and 10MWT (p < 0.05, r: − 0.67).

Conclusion

The ST is a valid and reliable method in the assessment of dynamic balance ability and locomotor function in patients with TKA. The ST can be used to quantify changes in dynamic balance level and locomotor function in patients with TKA.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate all the people who cooperated in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, TR-25050, Yakutiye, Erzurum, Turkey

    Musa Eymir & Bayram Unver

  2. Graduate School of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, TR-35340, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey

    Ertugrul Yuksel

  3. Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, TR-35340, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey

    Vasfi Karatosun

Authors
  1. Musa Eymir
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  2. Ertugrul Yuksel
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  3. Bayram Unver
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Contributions

M.E., E.Y., B.U., and V.K. designed and performed the research. M.E. and E.Y. analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. B.U. and V.K. reviewed and modified the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Musa Eymir.

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Ethics approval

Ethics approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Dokuz Eylül University (approval number: 5112-GOA). A written informed consent was obtained from all participants in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Eymir, M., Yuksel, E., Unver, B. et al. Reliability, validity, and minimal detectable change of the Step Test in patients with total knee arthroplasty. Ir J Med Sci 191, 2651–2656 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02888-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02888-6

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