Validity and reliability of the figure of 8 walk test

ISRCTN ISRCTN82001483
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN82001483
Secondary identifying numbers 1
Submission date
22/05/2015
Registration date
27/05/2015
Last edited
18/06/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Surgery
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

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 are 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 carries out the F8W test. A second appointment is then made between 7-21 days later. This visit involves two separate tests, once with the same physiotherapist who attended the first appointment and a second test with a different physiotherapist. This will help 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?
No particular benefits are expected 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 is 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

Contact information

Ms Martha Moore
Public

Physiotherapy Research Unit
Windmill Road
Oxford
OX3 7LD
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1865 737526
Email martha.moore@ouh.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designObservational crossover trial
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCrossover trial
Study setting(s)Home
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleValidity and reliability of the figure of 8 walk test: an observational crossover trial
Study acronymFig 8
Study objectivesTo 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(s)NHS Research and Ethics Committee South West Exeter, 21/05/2015, ref: 15/SW/0138
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedKnee arthroplasty
InterventionPatients 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 typeOther
Primary outcome measureFigure 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 measures1. 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 study start date01/06/2015
Completion date01/11/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupSenior
SexBoth
Target number of participants80
Total final enrolment74
Key inclusion criteria12 months post total knee replacement
Key exclusion criteria1. Further surgery within 12 months
2. Rheumatoid arthritis
Date of first enrolment01/06/2015
Date of final enrolment30/09/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre,
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
OX3 7LD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Oxford (UK)
University/education

c/o NDORMS
Windmill Road
Oxford
OX3 7LD
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/052gg0110

Funders

Funder type

Government

Health Technology Assessment Programme
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, HTA
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/03/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact, peer reviewed journal in early 2018.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Martha Moore (martha.moore@ouh.nhs.uk). Hard copies of the data obtained during the study are stored in a locked office at the Physiotherapy Research Unit in the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford. Consent from participants was obtained and data was anonymised with participants being issued a corresponding trial number.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/03/2019 18/06/2019 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

18/06/2019: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
07/12/2017: Publication and dissemination plan and IPD sharing statement added.