Functional tests for adults with asthma: validity, reliability, minimal detectable change, and feasibility
Joice Mara de Oliveira, Thamyres Spositon, Alcindo Cerci Neto, Fatima Mitsie Chibana Soares, Fábio Pitta, Karina Couto Furlanetto
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To verify the validity, reliability, learning effect, Minimal Detectable Change (MDC), and feasibility of four functional tests (4-Meter Gait Speed [4MGS], Timed Up-and-Go [TUG], Sit-To-Stand [STS], and Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) for adults with asthma. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, fifty-two subjects with stable asthma underwent three sets of different functional tests protocols (4MGS, TUG, STS, SPPB) in a random order by two raters. For validation analysis, tests were compared with a sex-age matched control group without asthma and correlated with the Six Minute Walking Test (6MWT), and peripheral muscle strength, as well as with quality of life and asthma control questionnaires. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability, MDC, and feasibility were verified. RESULTS: < 0.17). The tests presented good to excellent intra-rater Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC ≥ 0.75 for all). In all tests, a considerable learning effect and variability of measurement was observed, therefore, the best of two measurements should be used. MDC ranged from 15 to 31% and all tests were performed in a short time, small space, and without clinical adverse events. CONCLUSION: Different protocols of 4MGS, TUG, STS, and SPPB are valid, reliable, and feasible to assess the functional capacity of adults with asthma. These tests are quick and practical new alternatives for assessing functional capacity in this population.