Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

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Objective

To determine fall risk and measure progress of balance, sit to stand, and walking.

Intended Population

This test was initially designed for elderly persons, but is used for people with Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis, hip fracture, Alzheimer, CVA, and others.

Method of Use

The patient starts in a seated position, stands up upon therapist’s command, walks 3 meters, turns around, walks back to the chair and sits down. The time stops when the patient is seated. The subject is allowed to use an assistive device, and a practice trial should be completed before the timed trial. Be sure to document the assistive device used.

Cut-off time for high risk of falls: Cut-off times to classify subjects as high risk for falling vary based on the study and participants. By using regression analysis Shumway-Cook used 14 seconds as the cut-off. Thus, if a subject took 14 seconds or longer he or she was classified as high-risk for falling.¹

References

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