Standard Error of the Mean and Minimal Detectable Change of Gait Speed in Older Adults Using Japanese Long-Term Care Insurance System

Abstract

Evaluation of motor function, such as gait ability, can accurately predict the subsequent occurrence of disability in older adults. There are no reports of standard error of the mean (SEM) or minimal detectable change (MDC) with respect to gait in Japanese long-term care insurance-certified individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the values of preferred gait, fast gait, and the timed up and go (TUG) test. This study included 46 participants using the Japanese long-term care insurance system. (age 86.5 ± 6.6 years, 12 men, 34 women). The duration of three gait were measured twice using a stopwatch. The SEM was 0.07 for preferred gait, 0.09 for fast gait and 2.59 for TUG. The MDC was 0.19 for preferred gait, 0.26 for fast gait, and 7.17 for TUG. The SEM and MDC values of preferred gait, fast gait, and TUG in this study corroborated with those of previous studies, whereas others were different. Considering that gait speed differs with the country, it may be difficult to compare it among different population groups. We obtained the results of gait speed of Japanese long-term care insurance-certified individuals, which is a new finding