Validity & Reliability FSST
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Four Square Step Test - Reliability and Validity in different musculoskeletal lower limb conditions.
IRAS ID
199329
Contact name
Karen Barker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
The Four Square Step Test (FSST) test was developed to measure dynamic balance and mobility. The test involves rapid step taking over low lying obstacles whilst changing direction. The current literature shows that the FSST test is a valid and reliable test in a variety of populations from community dwelling older adults to patients post stroke. However its validity and reliability for participants who have moderate to severe knee and hip osteoarthritis both pre and post arthroplasty surgery is yet to be determined. This population are known to have poor foot clearance and balance impairments. It would therefore be pertinent to validate the FSST in this test population.
Patients who have moderate to severe knee and hip OA both pre and post arthroplasty surgery will have their eligibility checked and need to sign a consent form.
This study is of observational design and will involve three separate assessments during two visits to establish reliability over time and reliability between different measuring therapists. Hence measurements will be carried out once with the first research physiotherapist at one appointment and a further two more times at a second appointment, once with the first physiotherapist and again with an additional different research physiotherapist. A third assessment will be arranged for 6 months post arthroplasty surgery for those participants who agree to take part. Again two measurements will be carried out at this timepoint with the same research physiotherapist.
Measures of the Figure of 8 walk test, Berg Balance Scale will be collected at the same sessions to provide a comparator measure against which the validity of the FSST in this population can be compared.
Two questionnaires, the Oxford Hip or Knee Scale and the ABC Balance Confidence scale will be collected to allow comparisons betweem performance on the physical tests and other variables.REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
16/NI/0049
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion