Validity and reliability of five-times-sit-to-stand test with a dual task in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

INTRODUCTION: Although the five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST) is commonly used to analyse functional capacity, in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), many activities of daily living, such as walking while holding objects, require the simultaneous performance of motor and motor tasks. Hence, the FTSST with a secondary task has been introduced, though there is a lack of evidence on its validity and reliability. This study aimed to examine the concurrent validity and reliability of the FTSST with a dual task in older adults with MCI. METHODS: Twenty-eight older adults with MCI participated in the study. All participants performed the FTSST, FTSST with a dual task and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The concurrent validity of the FTSST with a dual task was established with the TUG. RESULTS: Moderate concurrent validity was found between the FTSST with a dual task and the TUG, with Pearson’s r = 0.59 (p <  0.001). The FTSST with a dual task exhibited good intra-rater (ICC 3,2 = 0.99) and inter-rater (ICC 2,2 = 0.99) reliability. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change of the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the FTSST with a dual task were 0.22 and 0.18, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed a significant correlation between the FTSST both with and without a dual task and the TUG as well as good inter- and intra-rater reliability when used in older adults with MCI. These findings support using these tests as outcome measures in older adults with MCI.