Functional Gait Assessment Tests in Elderly: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Due to the mobility problems of the elderly, it is better to use low-cost and applicable methods in any place, which do not require expertise to measure gait. One of these ubiquitous methods is functional gait assessment (FGA). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to collect and evaluate FGA in the elderly. Materials & Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive study of FGA in the elderly by searching the databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, Google Scholar, Scopus, MAGIRAN, IRANDOC, Iran Medex, MedLib, and SID from 1996 to November 2020. After compiling the search results, we first studied the titles and then the abstracts. If an article matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria, its results were used in the review study; otherwise, it was excluded. Results: Based on the research criteria and objectives, from 23 different tests, the results of 19 articles that studied FGA in the elderly were selected and reported. Conclusion: Studies seem to attempt FGA in the elderly using different methods and for different purposes. For example, studies to assess gait velocity, normal gait, and gait, along with functional and cognitive tasks, have measured FGA in the elderly. Besides, the two main features of a valid test including sensitivity and specificity have been less studied. Therefore, more studies should focus on these test features in measuring FGA in the elderly.

Keywords

• gait
• sensitivity and specificity
• neuropsychological tests