Validity of the shuttle walk test as a functional assessment of walking ability in individuals with polyneuropathy.

Purpose: This study assessed the validity of the shuttle walk test (SWT) to evaluate walking ability in patients with polyneuropathy.

Methods: Forty-one patients with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) and 49 patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) performed both the 10-meter walk test (10MWT) and the SWT. Face validity was assessed by evaluating whether patients considered both tests to reflect their walking ability (Likert scale: 1 = not at all, 10 = very well). Concurrent validity was determined by Spearman rank-correlation analyses performed on the outcomes of both tests.

Results: Mean (SD) scores for how well the 10MWT and SWT reflected daily walking ability were 6.8 (1.3) and 7.4 (1.6) (p = 0.117) in patients with CIAP and 6.9 (1.2) and 7.9 (1.0) (p = 0.001) in patients with MMN, respectively. Correlation scores between both tests ranged from -0.70 to -0.82, except for 18 patients with MMN with a "normal" walking speed at the 10MWT (-0.21).

Conclusion: The SWT seems a valid instrument for assessing walking ability in individuals with CIAP and MMN. Moreover, the SWT seems to be useful for investigating the symptoms elicited by walking long distances and may be more sensitive to changes when compared to the 10MWT. Implications for Rehabilitation Patients with polyneuropathy mainly experience problems when walking long distances. The 10-meter walk test does not possess sufficient psychometrics to diagnose walking abilities in these circumstances. The shuttle walk test is a valid instrument for assessing walking ability in individuals with polyneuropathy and might be the preferred instrument of choice when compared to the 10-meter walk test.