Clinimetric properties of the Timed Up and Go Test for patients with stroke: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and summarize the clinimetric properties, including reliability, validity, and responsiveness, the procedures used, and the meanings of the scores in the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). The TUG is a performance test that identifies problems with functional mobility in patients with stroke.

METHODS: MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1991 to January 2013. Studies were included if (1) the participants were adults with stroke; (2) the research design was cross-sectional, descriptive, or longitudinal and examined the clinimetric properties, including reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change, and procedural differences in the TUG; and (3) the study was published in English from 1991 to January 2013.

RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 4 showed the TUG to have good convergent validity, as it had significant correlations with various instruments. Three studies that investigated the test-retest reliability showed the TUG to have excellent intrarater and interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≯ 0.95). The 3 studies that investigated whether the TUG could predict falls after stroke showed inconclusive results. Three studies showed the TUG to be sensitive to change, and 1 study showed the TUG to be responsive in moderate- and fast-walking patients with stroke. However, there were wide variations in the procedures and instructions used.

CONCLUSION: The TUG can be recommended for measuring basic mobility skills after stroke in patients who are able to walk. However, the procedures and instructions should be described more clearly.