Measurement properties of a 300-m community-based walking test incorporating environmental walking demands in individuals with subacute stroke.

Authors

Jun Min Lee, Eun Joo Kim, Sung Phil Yang, Byung Ju Shin, Su Ji Choi, Seung Heun An

Published in

Physiotherapy theory and practice. Pages 1-14. Aug 21, 2026. Epub Aug 21, 2026.

Abstract

Performance-based assessments reflecting environmental walking demands remain limited in subacute stroke rehabilitation.
To evaluate the measurement properties of a 300-m Community-Based Walking Test (CBWT) designed to reflect environmental walking demands in individuals with subacute stroke.
We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected clinical data from 26 ambulatory individuals with subacute stroke (13 men and 13 women; mean age, 56.8 years [range, 26-81 years]) who completed the CBWT in both forward and reverse directions during rehabilitation. Assessments were performed at baseline and weeks 1, 2, and 4. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC_2,1), standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change (MDC), and Bland-Altman analysis. Responsiveness was assessed using standardized response mean (SRM) and effect size (ES), and convergent and longitudinal validity using Spearman correlations with gait, balance, and mobility measures.
CBWT completion time demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability in both directions (ICC = 0.92-0.93; 95% CI = 0.83-0.96). SEM ranged from 30 to 31 s and MDC from 83 to 86 s. Four-week responsiveness was moderate to high (SRM = 0.91-1.01; ES = 0.53-0.55). CBWT completion time showed moderate to high correlations with gait speed (r =  -0.70 to -0.84), walking endurance (r =  -0.76 to -0.81), and mobility (r = 0.78-0.83). Variability was observed even among independently ambulatory participants.
The present findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the measurement properties of the CBWT in individuals with subacute stroke. The CBWT may provide complementary clinical information regarding walking performance under structured environmental demands beyond conventional indoor gait assessments, which may support the evaluation of environmental walking adaptation and inform clinical judgment regarding community mobility during rehabilitation and discharge planning.

PMID:
42627141
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 21 Aug 2026.

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