Romanian Journal of Medical Practice (Sep 2021)

Correlations between walking speed and Timed Up and Go (TUG) in patients with heart failure class II-III NYHA

  • Diana Turcu,
  • Anca-Ioana Roman,
  • Matei Teodorescu,
  • Marius Popescu,
  • Rodica Ploesteanu,
  • Liviu Ghilencea,
  • Nicolae Gica,
  • Vlad Bataila,
  • Mihai Berteanu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.37897/RJMP.2021.3.10
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 3
pp. 364 – 369

Abstract

Read online

Physical rehabilitation programs for patients with heart failure (HF) are underdeveloped in our country. In order to establish the correct rehabilitation plan, the first step is to evaluate the patient’s functional capacity. G-Walk is a simple and effective test in assessing functional capacity. The aim of the study is to analyze the correlation between the results obtained in Timed Up and Go (TUG) and walking speed test and the prognosis of patients with heart failure. Material and methods. We prospectively analyzed a group of 44 patients with heart failure class II-III NYHA hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of Elias Hospital between June 17 and July 15, 2019.We evaluated the functional mobility of the patients with heart failure with the G-Walk device that contains a wireless sensor. The G-Walk device represents a gait analysis system, performing – according to a protocol – 2 tests: Walk (patient’s walking speed) and TUG (measures balance and mobility). Results. After analyzing the walking speed, the patients were divided into 2 groups: those with a speed 0.8 m/s. Out of 44 patients, 21 patients had a walking speed 0.8 m/s. It was seen that patients with lower walking speed (V 0.8 m/s) were older, had a lower body weight, a lower blood pressure value, a lower value of the oxygen saturation, a lower value of sodium and a higher blood glucose value. After analyzing the value of the TUG test, patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with a TUG test duration 15 seconds. Thus, out of 44 patients studied, 19 patients had a TUG value 15 seconds) versus patients with normal TUG value (< 15 seconds) were older, had a higher creatinine value and a higher blood glucose value. Conclusions. It has been shown that a low value of walking speed and mobility is associated with increased morbidity and mortality of all causes in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease. The physical rehabilitation of patients with heart failure is very important for improving the quality of life.

Keywords