Systematic review of timed stair tests

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation research and development 2014-01, Vol.51 (3), p.335-350
• Main Authors: Nightingale, Elizabeth Jean, Pourkazemi, Fereshteh, Hiller, Claire E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Age; Age Factors; Analysis; Biomechanics; Disability Evaluation; Exercise Test - methods; Gait - physiology; Humans; Physical therapy; Reference Values; Studies; Time Factors; Walking
• ISSN: 0748-7711; 1938-1352
• DOI: 10.1682/JRRD.2013.06.0148

Functional testing is particularly useful in the clinic and for making research translatable; however, finding measures relevant across ages and different conditions can be difficult. A systematic review was conducted to investigate timed stair tests as an objective measure of functional abilities and musculoskeletal integrity. Data were analyzed for their ability to differentiate between controls and patient groups and between different patient groups. Literature was reviewed using the Medline, CINAHL, and PubMed databases until February 2012. Data were grouped according to methodology, ages, and medical conditions. Time per step was calculated to allow comparison between studies. Eighty-eight studies were included in this review. Methodologies varied considerably with stair ascent, stair descent, or a combination of the two being used across a wide range of ages and medical conditions. Times increased with age for ascent, descent, and combined and for a variety of medical problems. Timed stair tests appear to be sensitive to medical conditions but further data are required to obtain normative values for this test. We suggest that timed stair tests should follow a more standardized methodology using a combination of ascent and descent and asking participants to complete the stairs as quickly and safely as possible.