Arm span as a predictor of the six-minute walk test in healthy children.

BACKGROUND: Six-minute walk test (6MWT) is the most used test to assess functional capacity. Including arm span in the prediction equations for 6MWT performance might be an alternative for use in traditional reference equations. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the usability of arm span to predict the 6MWT distance in healthy children. METHODS: 262 healthy children aged between 6 and 12 years old participated in this study. 6MWT was conducted according to the standardized protocol. Height, weight, and arm span were measured before performing the 6MWT. A multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was used to generate the regression model. RESULTS: The 6MWT distance had strong positive correlations with age, arm span, height, and weight (p<0.001). There was also a very strong correlation between arm span and height (p<0.001). Age and arm span were found as significant predictors in the first regression model. These two variables explained 60.2% of the variance in the 6MWT distance. Age and height were also found as significant predictors, explaining 60.5% of the variance in the 6MWT distance. The two following formula were obtained to predict the 6MWT distance: (-23.09+(31.12×Age)+(2.39×Arm span)) or (-80.0+(28.98×Age)+(2.92×Height)). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the combination of arm span (or height) and age are strong predictors of the 6MWT distance in healthy children.

Evaluation of functional characteristics in patients with knee osteoarthritis / Avaliação das características funcionais em pacientes com osteoartrite do joelho

ABSTRACT Objective: This study evaluated the physical and functional characteristics of Turkish patients with knee osteoarthritis and how this disease affects their physical and functional status. Methods: This study included 320 patients, who were evaluated to assess body mass index (BMI) and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score in terms of age, sex and functional characteristics. Results: Mean patient age was 66.92±8.89 years and mean BMI was 31.02±5.20 kg/m2. Mean patient HSS score was 58.70±11.08. According to their sit-to-stand test results, 33% of the patients (n=104) were found to be independent. There was a significant relationship between BMI and functional activity score (p<0.05). Conclusions: The majority of the patients in our study were female and obese, and had low functionality levels. Function in patients with OA is restricted as a result of excess weight, so preventive measures can help Turkish patients with OA maintain their ideal weight. Furthermore, patient education can be help this population acquire the habit of regular exercise in order to reduce pain and improve their physical activity and quality of life. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou as características físicas e funcionais dos pacientes turcos com osteoartrite e como essa doença afeta seu estado físico e funcional. Métodos: O estudo incluiu 320 pacientes que foram avaliados quanto ao índice de massa corporal (IMC) e quanto ao escore Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), em termos de idade, sexo e características funcionais. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi 66,92 ± 8,89 anos e a média do IMC foi 31,02 ± 5,20 kg/m2. A média do escore HSS dos pacientes foi 58,70 ± 11,08. De acordo com os resultados do teste sentar/levantar, observou-se que 33% dos pacientes (n = 104) eram independentes. Houve relação significativa entre IMC e escore de atividade funcional (p < 0,05). Conclusões: A maioria dos pacientes em nosso estudo era do sexo feminino e obesos e tinham níveis baixos de funcionalidade. A função dos pacientes com OA foi restrita em decorrência do excesso de peso, de modo que as medidas preventivas podem auxiliar os pacientes turcos a manter o peso ideal. Além disso, a educação dos pacientes pode ajudar essa população a adquirir o hábito de exercícios regulares para reduzir a dor e melhorar a atividade física e a qualidade de vida. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.

EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the physical and functional characteristics of Turkish patients with knee osteoarthritis and how this disease affects their physical and functional status. METHODS: This study included 320 patients, who were evaluated to assess body mass index (BMI) and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score in terms of age, sex and functional characteristics. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 66.92±8.89 years and mean BMI was 31.02±5.20 kg/m2. Mean patient HSS score was 58.70±11.08. According to their sit-to-stand test results, 33% of the patients (n=104) were found to be independent. There was a significant relationship between BMI and functional activity score (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the patients in our study were female and obese, and had low functionality levels. Function in patients with OA is restricted as a result of excess weight, so preventive measures can help Turkish patients with OA maintain their ideal weight. Furthermore, patient education can be help this population acquire the habit of regular exercise in order to reduce pain and improve their physical activity and quality of life. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo avaliou as características físicas e funcionais dos pacientes turcos com osteoartrite e como essa doença afeta seu estado físico e funcional. MÉTODOS: O estudo incluiu 320 pacientes que foram avaliados quanto ao índice de massa corporal (IMC) e quanto ao escore Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), em termos de idade, sexo e características funcionais. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos pacientes foi 66,92 ± 8,89 anos e a média do IMC foi 31,02 ± 5,20 kg/m2. A média do escore HSS dos pacientes foi 58,70 ± 11,08. De acordo com os resultados do teste sentar/levantar, observou-se que 33% dos pacientes (n = 104) eram independentes. Houve relação significativa entre IMC e escore de atividade funcional (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos pacientes em nosso estudo era do sexo feminino e obesos e tinham níveis baixos de funcionalidade. A função dos pacientes com OA foi restrita em decorrência do excesso de peso, de modo que as medidas preventivas podem auxiliar os pacientes turcos a manter o peso ideal. Além disso, a educação dos pacientes pode ajudar essa população a adquirir o hábito de exercícios regulares para reduzir a dor e melhorar a atividade física e a qualidade de vida. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.

Reliability of the 50-foot walk test and 30-sec chair stand test in total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability of the 50-Foot Walk Test (50 FWT) and 30-second Chair Stand Test (30 CST) in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The study was designed as a test-retest research. Thirty-three patients who would undergo bilateral TKA were recruited. The tests 30 CST and 50 FWT were performed twice on the same day with 5-minute intervals, respectively. Between the first and second tests, patients waited for an hour on sitting position in order to prevent fatigue. In addition to these tests, we registered the knee pain experienced by the patients using a 100 mm VAS scale. RESULTS: The 50 FWT and 30 CST showed excellent reliability. ICC for 50 FWT and 30 CST were 0.97 and 0.92, respectively. SRD95 was 1.07 for 50 FWT and 0.96 for 30 CST. CONCLUSIONS: According to results of this study, both 50 FWT and 30 CST have excellent reliability in patients with TKA. These tests are simple, no time consuming and constitute sensitive methods to measure the functional performance in patients with TKA in the clinical settings. Clinicians and researchers may use these tests to quantify even small changes in functional performance for patients with TKA. Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic Study.

Reliability of the 50-foot walk test and 30-sec chair stand test in total knee arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability of the 50-Foot Walk Test (50 FWT) and 30-second Chair Stand Test (30 CST) in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The study was designed as a test-retest research. Thirty-three patients who would undergo bilateral TKA were recruited. The tests 30 CST and 50 FWT were performed twice on the same day with 5-minute intervals, respectively. Between the first and second tests, patients waited for an hour on sitting position in order to prevent fatigue. In addition to these tests, we registered the knee pain experienced by the patients using a 100 mm VAS scale. RESULTS: The 50 FWT and 30 CST showed excellent reliability. ICC for 50 FWT and 30 CST were 0.97 and 0.92, respectively. SRD95 was 1.07 for 50 FWT and 0.96 for 30 CST. CONCLUSIONS: According to results of this study, both 50 FWT and 30 CST have excellent reliability in patients with TKA. These tests are simple, no time consuming and constitute sensitive methods to measure the functional performance in patients with TKA in the clinical settings. Clinicians and researchers may use these tests to quantify even small changes in functional performance for patients with TKA. Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic Study.