This observational cross-sectional psychometric study aims to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the Groningen Meander Walking Test in older adults with self-reported balance problems and/or a history of falls. Participants aged 65 years or older will be recruited from the Orthopedics and Traumatology outpatient clinic of Ordu University Training and Research Hospital. The Groningen Meander Walking Test will be performed twice during the first session and repeated in a second session to assess within-day and between-day reliability. Construct validity will be evaluated using the Timed Up and Go Test, Figure-of-Eight Walking Test, Berg Balance Scale, and Falls Efficacy Scale-International. The study will also explore the ability of the Groningen Meander Walking Test to discriminate between participants with low and increased fall risk according to the Berg Balance Scale.
This observational cross-sectional study will evaluate the reliability and validity of the Groningen Meander Walking Test in older adults with self-reported balance problems and/or a history of falls. Participants aged 65 years or older will be recruited from the Orthopedics and Traumatology outpatient clinic of Ordu University Training and Research Hospital. The Groningen Meander Walking Test will be administered in two assessment sessions to examine within-day and between-day test-retest reliability. Completion time and overstep score will be recorded. Construct validity will be assessed by comparing Groningen Meander Walking Test outcomes with established clinical measures of functional mobility, curved walking performance, balance, and concern about falling. The study aims to determine whether the Groningen Meander Walking Test is a clinically useful assessment tool for advanced walking ability in older adults with balance problems and/or fall history.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
71
Ordu university
Altinordu, Ordu, Turkey (Türkiye)
Groningen Meander Walking Test Completion Time
Completion time of the Groningen Meander Walking Test will be recorded in seconds. The mean of the start-to-end and end-to-start completion times will be used as the Groningen Meander Walking Test completion time. A longer completion time indicates poorer advanced walking performance.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 to 7 days after baseline
Groningen Meander Walking Test Overstep Score
The number of times the participant's foot completely lands outside the marked pathway will be recorded. Oversteps from the start-to-end and end-to-start directions will be summed. A higher score indicates poorer stepping accuracy.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 to 7 days after baseline
Timed Up and Go Test Completion Time
Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test. The time required to stand from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return to the chair, and sit down will be recorded in seconds. A longer time indicates poorer functional mobility.
Time frame: Baseline
Figure-of-Eight Walking Test Completion Time
Curved walking performance will be assessed using the Figure-of-Eight Walking Test. Completion time will be recorded in seconds, and a longer time indicates poorer advanced walking performance.
Time frame: Baseline
Berg Balance Scale Score
Functional balance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale. Total scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance performance and lower fall risk.
Time frame: Baseline
Falls Efficacy Scale-International Score
Concern about falling during daily activities will be assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International. Total scores range from 16 to 64, with higher scores indicating greater concern about falling.
Time frame: Baseline
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