Reliability and Validity of the Six-Spot Step Test After Total Hip Arthroplasty

NCT ID: NCT06704217

Last Updated: 2025-01-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 61 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-11-30
• Study Completion Date: 2025-01-12

Brief Summary

This study aims to assess the SSST's validity, reliability, and ability to differentiate between high and low fall risk individuals in THA patients. Establishing the SSST as a valid and reliable tool will help manage rehabilitation and apply timely interventions for THA patients.

Detailed Description

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common surgery for patients with advanced hip osteoarthritis, aiming to reduce pain and improve function. However, THA patients often experience difficulties in mobility tasks, such as walking, stair climbing, and standing up, even years after surgery. These functional impairments increase the risk of falls, highlighting the need for effective clinical tests to assess balance and mobility. Identifying factors contributing to balance dysfunction and implementing appropriate rehabilitation are crucial for improving quality of life.

The Six-Spot Step Test (SSST), developed by Nieuwenhuis et al., is a quick and easy test that evaluates balance and mobility in daily life activities. However, its validity and reliability in THA patients have not been studied. This research aims to assess the SSST's validity, reliability, and ability to differentiate between high and low fall risk individuals in THA patients. Establishing the SSST as a valid and reliable tool will help manage rehabilitation and apply timely interventions for THA patients.

Conditions

Total Hip Replacement; Reproducibility of Results; Rehabilitation

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Primary Study Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Other

Patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA)

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Six Spot Step Test

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The Six-Spot Step Test (SSST), which evaluates balance and functional ambulation, will be performed in an area 5 meters long and 1 meter wide. Five wooden cylinders will be arranged in a zig-zag pattern within this space, with the last cylinder positioned at the centerline. The participant will be asked to strike the wooden cylinders with the medial or lateral side of the same foot and push them outward. The test will be repeated twice with the dominant foot and twice with the non-dominant foot. A trial will be conducted before the test to familiarize participants with the procedure. A two-minute rest period between the test and trials will be provided to minimize fatigue effects. The test's inter-rater reliability will be assessed by two physiotherapists with more than 5 years of clinical experience, who will administer the test twice at 5-minute intervals.

Oxford Hip Score

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The Oxford Hip Score will be used for functional level assessment.

Berg Balance Scale

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) will be used to assess dynamic balance, which is reliable and commonly used within the orthopedic setting.

Interventions

Six Spot Step Test

The Six-Spot Step Test (SSST), which evaluates balance and functional ambulation, will be performed in an area 5 meters long and 1 meter wide. Five wooden cylinders will be arranged in a zig-zag pattern within this space, with the last cylinder positioned at the centerline. The participant will be asked to strike the wooden cylinders with the medial or lateral side of the same foot and push them outward. The test will be repeated twice with the dominant foot and twice with the non-dominant foot. A trial will be conducted before the test to familiarize participants with the procedure. A two-minute rest period between the test and trials will be provided to minimize fatigue effects. The test's inter-rater reliability will be assessed by two physiotherapists with more than 5 years of clinical experience, who will administer the test twice at 5-minute intervals.

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Oxford Hip Score

The Oxford Hip Score will be used for functional level assessment.

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Berg Balance Scale

The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) will be used to assess dynamic balance, which is reliable and commonly used within the orthopedic setting.

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Underwent primary unilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)
• Surgery performed using the posterolateral approach
• At least six months of postoperative follow-up

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients who underwent bilateral or revision THA
• History of additional lower limb surgery
• Body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 kg/m²
• Neurological, orthopedic, or systemic disorders that could impair gait or balance

• Minimum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Ordu University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Elif AYGUN POLAT

PhD

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Elif AYGUN POLAT, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Ordu University

Yusuf POLAT, Assoc. Prof.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ordu University

Sevim ACAROZ, Assoc. Prof.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ordu University

Yunus Emre OZBILEN, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ordu University

Alper ÇIRAKLI, Prof.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Ordu University

Locations

Ordu University

Ordu, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

2024/20

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

ODU-SBFTR-AYGUNPOLAT-003

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id