Conventional video-based system for measuring the subtask speed of the Timed Up and Go Test in older adults: Validity and reliability study.

The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is a simple fall risk screening test that covers basic functional movement; thus, quantifying the subtask movement ability may provide a clinical utility. The video-based system allows individual's movement characteristics assessment. This study aimed to investigate the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the video-based system for assessing the movement speed of TUG subtasks among older adults. Twenty older adults participated in the validity study, whilst ten older adults participated in the reliability study. Participant's movement speed in each subtask of the TUG under comfortable and fast speed conditions over two sessions was measured. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to identify the validity of the video-based system compared to the motion analysis system. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,2) was used to determine the reliability of the video-based system. The Bland-Altman plots were used to quantify the agreement between the two measurement systems and two repeatable sessions. The validity analysis demonstrated a moderate to very high relationship in all TUG subtask movement speeds between the two systems under the comfortable speed (r = 0.672-0.906, p < 0.05) and a moderate to high relationship under the fast speed (r = 0.681-0.876, p < 0.05). The reliability of the video-based system was good to excellent for all subtask movement speeds in both the comfortable speed (ICCs = 0.851-0.967, p < 0.05) and fast speed (ICCs = 0.720-0.979, p < 0.05). The Bland-Altman analyses showed that almost all mean differences of the subtask speed of the TUG were close to zero, within 95% limits of agreement, and symmetrical distribution of scatter plots. The video-based system was a valid and reliable tool that may be useful in measuring the subtask movement speed of TUG among healthy older adults

Gait Posture

Background Using a mobile phone while performing a postural and locomotor tasks is a common, daily situation. Conversing or sending messages (SMS) while walking account for a significant share of accidental injuries. Therefore, understanding the consequences of using a mobile phone on balance and walking is important, all the more so when these postural and locomotor tasks are aggravated by a disease. Research question Our objective was to conduct a scoping review on the influence of a dual-task situation – generated by the use of mobile phone – on users' postural and/or locomotor tasks. Methods The literature search was conducted in English on PubMed/Medline and CINHAL databases, using keywords associated with postural and locomotor tasks and with the use of mobile phone. Study location, population, number of subjects, experimental design, types of phone use, evaluated postural-locomotor tasks and expected effects were then analyzed. Results and significance 46 studies were included in this work, 24 of which came from North America. All studies compared postural and locomotor tasks with and without the use of a smartphone. Ten studies also compared at least 2 groups with different characteristics. Only 4 studies included pathological subjects. Various modalities were tested, and most studies focused on walking. Results show that the use of smartphones slows down movement and induces a systematic imbalance, except when listening to music. The dual task of "using the smartphone during a postural or locomotor tasks" induces systematic disturbances of balance and movement, which must be taken into account in the rehabilitation approach. Future studies will have to extend the knowledge regarding pathological situations