Instrumented and Standard Measures of Physical Performance in Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common pathology encountered by acute care physical therapists. CKD is associated with reduced physical function and fall risk. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the test-retest reliability of standard and instrumented physical performance measures and (2) describe the relationship between subjective fall risk and objective physical performance in people with CKD. Methods: Twenty-one adults with CKD completed a battery of standard and instrumented physical performance measures 1 week apart. Standard measures were the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), gait speed, 5 times sit-to-stand (FSTS), 2-minute walk test (2MWT), and quadriceps (QS) and grip (GS) strength dynamometry. Instrumented measures included parameters of gait, sit-stand, and postural sway. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) assessed test-retest reliability, and Pearson correlations (adjusted for age) assessed the relationships between the Fall Risk Questionnaire (FRQ) and standard physical performance. Results: Excellent to moderate test-retest reliability was demonstrated in the standard and instrumented physical performance measures. A subset of standard measures was significantly associated with the FRQ score. Conclusions: This study supports the clinical reliability of a battery of standard physical performance measures and a subset of instrumented parameters for use in adults with CKD. The FRQ may be useful for screening fall risk considering its relationship to objective physical performance.