Abstract
Timed UP and Go Test (TUG) is conventionally used as predictor of falls in adults. Routine daily activities include multiple tasks performed concurrently. When two or more tasks (Dual/Triple test) needed to be carried out concurrently, task performance declined at least in one of them. Our study aimed to find temporal and demographic variations in the performance after adding a cognitive, motor or both tasks, while performing TUG, compared to performance during conventional TUG. Sixty randomly selected healthy adults, with age ranging from 53 to 90 years, consented to participate in the study. Each participant underwent six tests (Conventional TUG, Motor TUG, Cognitive TUG, Motor and Cognitive TUG, Visuospatial TUG, Motor and Visuospatial TUG), with time measured in seconds. 6 (10%) had a previous history of fall. Triple test identified the highest number of participants at risk of fall (16.67%). One way ANOVA test showed significant temporal variation with the addition of task (p value< 0.0002). There was moderate positive correlation of age with the time taken to perform each test with addition of task. Conventional TUG in itself was found to be most sensitive and specific test to identify fallers. Though dual and triple task tests were also comparable, addition of task to TUG is not a sensitive indicator to identify fallers as compared to TUG.
Highlights
Each year, one in three adults aged 65 and older, suffers a fall [1]
Conventional TUG, motor TUG and cognitive TUG were comparable in determining the likelihood of falls [3]
Motor TUG was found to be more valid and sensitive than conventional TUG, it can serve as screening tool for early detection of individuals with frailty in community dwelling adults [4]
Summary
One in three adults aged 65 and older, suffers a fall [1]. The number of falls keep rising with increased longevity of the population. The ‘Timed Up and Go’ test (TUG) is used as a predictor of fall in adults [2]. Various studies have assessed the performance of dual and triple tasks and their influence on prediction of falls. Conventional TUG, motor TUG and cognitive TUG were comparable in determining the likelihood of falls [3]. Motor dual task TUG better identifies pre-frail individuals than single task TUG. Motor TUG was found to be more valid and sensitive than conventional TUG, it can serve as screening tool for early detection of individuals with frailty in community dwelling adults [4]. The addition of dual task or cognitive task to TUG, improves the detection of risk of falls in people with Parkinson’s disease [5]
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