Validation of the Tandem Walk Test as a Measure of Dynamic Walking Balance

Abstract

The tandem walk test (TWT) has been utilized for both clinical and research applications as a test for objectively measuring dynamic walking balance in both pathologic and normal populations. No studies were found that attempted to determine a relationship between the TWT and a criterion standard or other validated clinical tests of walking dynamic balance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the TWT as a measure of dynamic walking balance. METHODS: Twenty healthy participants, age range 20 – 70 years, performed the TWT and two clinical tests of dynamic balance, The Biodex Balance System (Shirley, NY) dynamic limits of stability (DLOS) protocol and measures of gait variability, center of pressure (COP), stride and step length, determined from an instrumented treadmill (h/p cosmos sports and medical gmbh, Nussdorf-Traunstein, Germany). RESULTS: A moderate-strong relationship existed between the TWT and the Biodex DLOS and COP single support line, r = .77 p < .0001 and r = .70 p < .001 respectively. A moderate relationship was found between TWT and covariance of stride length and covariance of step length, r = .56 p < .01 and r = .58 p < .01 respectively. CONCLUSION: The TWT demonstrated a strong to moderate correlation with clinical tests of dynamic balance, DLOS and gait variability, in a healthy population demonstrating validity as an objective measure of dynamic walking balance in a healthy population between the ages of 20 and 70 years.