Reliability and Validity of Four Step Tests in Older Adults With Dementia.

Objectives: To determine the test-retest and inter-rater reliability, concurrent and discriminative validity of the Four Square Step Test (FSST), the Choice Stepping Reaction Time Test (CSRTT), the Maximum Step Length Test (MSLT), and the Alternate Step Test (AST) in older adults with dementia.

Methods: Thirty-seven older adults with dementia who could walk independently for at least 10 m were recruited at community centers and day care centers for older adults. The participants completed the step tests conducted by two independent raters on three separate testing occasions within 3 weeks.

Benefits of chest wall mobilization on respiratory efficiency and functional exercise capacity in people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Coexistence of chest wall hypomobility and lung hyperinflation compromises respiratory muscle function and respiratory efficiency in people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to investigate the effect of chest wall mobilization on functional exercise capacity, respiratory muscle activity and respiratory muscle tissue oxygen saturation for people with severe COPD.

Methods: Thirty male adults (age: 75 ± 6) diagnosed with severe COPD completed a 6-week programme (twice/week) according to intervention randomization (chest wall mobilization group, CWMG, n = 15; control group, CG, n = 15).

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Knee Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire.

This study aimed to adapt and validate the Knee Osteoarthritis Fears and Beliefs Questionnaire (KOFBeQ) for Chinese patients, thereby advancing the understanding of fear-avoidance behaviors. Adopting a cross-sectional design, data were collected for 241 subjects (78.8% women; mean age 68.