To assess the validity and reliability of the single- and dual-task Figure-of-8 Walk (F8W) tests in stroke patients. Thirty-two patients aged 61.09 ± 9.27 years (mean) were enrolled. The general cognitive function and stroke severity were assessed using the Standardized Mini Mental Test and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, respectively. The single- and dual-task F8W tests were performed in the study. The F8W test with a cognitive task of counting backward by threes (F8W + cog), and the F8W test with a motor task of carrying a glass of water on a tray (F8W + mot) consisted dual-task F8W. Relative and absolute reliability was assessed using the test-retest method and Bland-Altman plots. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) values were calculated. To assess convergent validity, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), the 10-Meter Walk Test (10mWT), the Modified Four-Square Step Test (mFSST), and the Six-Spot Step Test (SSST) were administered. The test-retest reliability of the F8W, F8W + cog, and F8W + mot tests demonstrated excellent results, with ICC values of 0.938, 0.929, and 0.935, respectively, and SEM values of 4.57, 5.52, and 5.01. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that the F8W, F8W + cog, and F8W + mot were quite compatible with all tests (p > 0.99). All F8W tests were moderate to very strong correlation with the TUGT, 10mWT, mFSST, and SSST (p < 0.01). The single- and dual-task F8W tests are useful reliable and valid tests in stroke patients.

There is a need for practical, easy-to-use and accurately assessing balance tools in stroke patients. This study aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the dual-task Timed Up-and-Go test (cognitive) (DTUG) and the 3-m walk backward test (3MBWT) in stroke patients. This study evaluated the practicality, validity, and reliability of the DTUG and the 3MBWT. The test-retest method was used for reliability. The Modified Four Square Step Test (MFSST), the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were administered for concurrent validity. A cutoff value was calculated to discriminate between fallers and non-fallers. The mean practicality times of the tests were 63.58 ± 47.32 sec for DTUG and 37.42 ± 24.036 sec for 3MBWT. Intraclass correlation coefficient of the DTUG and 3MBWT were 0.977, 0.964, respectively which showed excellent test - retest reliability. The DTUG demonstrated strong/very strong correlations with the MFSST (r = 0.724, p < 0.001), TUG (r = 0.909, p < 0.001), and BBS (r = -0.740, p < 0.001). The 3MBWT showed strong correlations with the MFSST (r = 0.835, p < 0.001), the TUG (r = 0.799, p < 0.001), and the BBS (r = -0.740, p < 0.001). The cutoff point was 36.945 s for DTUG and 14.605 s for 3MBWT. The 3MBWT was a more practical test than the DTUG; however, the DTUG was more discriminative than the 3MBWT in identifying fallers after stroke. NCT05211349. https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000BRKZ&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0005GRO&ts=2&cx=z21bhg.

The 12-item Örebro Musculoskeletal Screening Questionnaire (ÖMSQ-12) is a multidimensional questionnaire assessing general musculoskeletal problems. This study aimed to investigate its construct va...

It is known that COVID-19, which affects large masses worldwide, causes prolonged symptoms in some individuals. The present study aims to determine the factors affecting quality of life, physical activity level, cognitive impairment, and dyspnea level in individuals with long COVID. The study included COVID-19 patients diagnosed at the Chest Diseases Clinic at least 12 weeks ago. Phone calls were conducted to all participants to collect demographic and clinical data. Participants were verbally administered the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short Form), EQ-5D-5L Scale, and Short Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration test (BOMC). Multiple linear regression was used to determine independent variable effects on dependent variables. The study included 176 individuals, with a mean age of 54.57±1.49 years and 41.5% (73) being female. Female gender (0.112 times), severe disease (0.282 times), and aging (0.006 units per year) were found to impact quality of life negatively (p<0.05). Females (330.068 times) and older individuals (14.711 times) had lower physical activity levels (p<0.05). A one-year increase in age increased the cognitive impairment level by 0.181 units. Moderate and severe disease increased cognitive impairment by 3.509 and 5.764 times, respectively, compared to mild disease. Dyspnea increased with age (0.031 units) and severity (0.446 times intermediate disease; 0.981 times severe disease). The physical and cognitive evaluation of individuals with long COVID, especially those of female gender and advanced age and with severe disease, is important for their activities of daily living and quality of life.

Smart Speed® is a device designed to evaluate and improve reaction time. The study aimed to demonstrate the concurrent validity of the Smart Speed® in assessing reaction time in a healthy young population. To evaluate the concurrent validity of Smart Speed®, correlations between Smart Speed®, BlazePod™, and the Nelson Foot Reaction Test were analyzed. A modified version of the Star Balance Test (mSBT) and One-Leg Balance Test (OLBT) were performed with Blazepod™ and Smart Speed®. All tests were performed bilaterally. Among the participants who met the inclusion criteria, 47 engaged in the Blazepod™ evaluation session, while 37 in the Smart Speed®. A significant moderate positive correlation was observed between the Smart Speed® mSBT outcomes and the Nelson Foot Reaction Test for both the dominant (r = 0.387, p = 0.018) and non-dominant sides (r = 0.386, p = 0.018). No correlation was found between the tests performed with the Smart Speed® and the BlazePod™. Overall, the findings provide preliminary evidence of concurrent validity for Smart Speed® in specific reaction-time-related tasks. However, improvements in the synchronization of its lights are still required. Once these adjustments are implemented, it has the potential to serve as an effective and objective tool for assessing and enhancing reaction time in rehabilitation.