Ability of walking without a walking device in patients with spinal cord injury as determined using data from functional tests

This study investigates how well three common physical tests can determine if someone with a spinal cord injury (SCI) can walk without needing a walking aid. The tests are the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), timed up and go test (TUGT), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). The researchers also looked at how consistently different testers got the same results when using these tests. This helps to know if the tests are reliable for tracking a patient's progress over time. The findings provide clear, measurable goals for patients with SCI to work toward, helping them reduce their reliance on walking devices and increase their independence.

• 1
  The study found specific time thresholds for each test that indicate a good ability to walk without a walking device: less than 14 seconds for FTSST, less than 18 seconds for TUGT, and less than 6 seconds for 10MWT.
• 2
  The 10-meter walk test (10MWT) was the most effective at distinguishing between patients who could walk without a device and those who needed one.
• 3
  All three tests showed excellent inter-tester reliability, meaning different therapists using the tests on the same patient are likely to get similar results.