Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
The Figure of 8 Walk (F8W) test was developed to measure both straight and curved path walking in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Research has shown that it is a valid and reliable test in elderly people and patients with stroke. However, its validity and reliability for patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery are yet to be tested. In addition, to date the F8W test has only been validated in clinical settings under controlled conditions; i.e., with smooth floors and quiet surroundings. This is likely to differ from the environment participants will encounter in daily life and so may not accurately reflect the patient’s advanced walking performance. There is therefore a need for the F8W to be validated in both the participant’s own home environment and for patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery.
Who can participate?
Patients who have undergone knee surgery at least one year ago.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be given the opportunity to choose to have their assessments carried out by a physiotherapist in either their home or in a clinical setting. At the first visit a physiotherapist will carry out the F8W test. A second appointment will then be made between 7-21 days later. This visit will involve two separate tests, once with the same physiotherapist who attended the first appointment and a second test with a different physiotherapist. This will help us to establish the reliability of the test over time and the reliability of the test between different measuring physiotherapists.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
We do not expect any particular benefits for the participants from taking part in this study. All the assessments chosen are used in clinical practice and have been used safely in the past. There are no known particular side effects of the assessments and an experienced physiotherapist will be with the participants throughout to monitor how they are doing and check they are safe. Participants may experience some pain or tiredness whilst carrying out the tests but they will be offered a rest in between each test and they may stop the test at any point should they wish to.
Where is the study run from?
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (UK).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From June to November 2015.
Who is funding the study?
NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme - HTA (UK).
Who is the main contact?
Martha Moore
martha.moore@ouh.nhs.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Public
Primary contact
Ms Martha Moore
ORCID ID
Contact details
Physiotherapy Research Unit
Windmill Road
Oxford
OX3 7LD
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1865 737526
martha.moore@ouh.nhs.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
1
Study information
Scientific title
Validity and reliability of the figure of 8 walk test: an observational crossover trial
Acronym
Fig 8
Study hypothesis
To investigate the validity and reliability of the Figure of 8 Walk Test for participants one year after knee replacement at home and in clinical settings.
Ethics approval
NHS Research and Ethics Committee South West Exeter, 21/05/2015, ref: 15/SW/0138
Study design
Observational crossover trial
Primary study design
Observational
Secondary study design
Trial setting
Home
Trial type
Other
Patient information sheet
Condition
Knee arthroplasty
Intervention
Patients who have had a knee replacement a year ago and are eligible to take part will be given the option to have their assessments at home or at the physiotherapy department at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. The initial assessment will involve three physical measures tests including the figure of 8 walk test, the timed up and go and the short physical performance battery. They will also be asked to complete two short paper questionnaires, the Oxford Knee Score and an Outcome Measures Evaluation Form. At the first visit the same physiotherapy researcher will carry out the physical measures. A second appointment will then be made between 7-21 days later. This visit will involve two separate assessments, once with the same research physiotherapist who attended the initial appointment and a second assessment with a different research physiotherapist. During this appointment the initial research physiotherapist will carry out only the Figure of 8 Walk test. The participant will then be given a rest and the second research physiotherapist will carry out the Figure of 8 Walk test once more with the participant.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measures
Figure of 8 Walk test – measured at baseline and 7-21 days later at the second assessment. During the second assessment the Fig 8 will be measured twice by two different assessors. To measure the outcome we will record how long it takes to complete the test in seconds, how many steps the participant takes, whether the test was completed within the 2ft boundary and a 3-point smoothness score.
Secondary outcome measures
1. Timed up and Go – measured only at the baseline assessment. Assessed by timing how long it takes to complete the test in seconds.
2. Short Physical Performance Battery – measured only at baseline. Comprises of three different measures, assessed by time taken to complete all three.
Overall trial start date
01/06/2015
Overall trial end date
01/11/2015
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
12 months post total knee replacement
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Senior
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
80
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Further surgery within 12 months
2. Rheumatoid arthritis
Recruitment start date
01/06/2015
Recruitment end date
30/09/2015
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre,
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
OX3 7LD
United Kingdom
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme - HTA (UK)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
To be confirmed at a later date
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Stored in repository
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary