The Figure-of-8 Walk Test used to detect the loss of motor skill in walking among persons with Parkinson's disease

Background The Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8W) is a valid measure of walking skill in older adults with a mobility disability. Use of the F8W in assessing walking skill in persons with Parkinson's disease (PWP) is unknown. Purpose We examined the validity of the F8W by associations with mobility, and cognitive and physical function, and determined the ability of the F8W to discriminate the motor skill of walking in PWP from that of older adults (OA). Methods Participants, PWP (n = 60) and OA (n = 34) performed the F8W, usual straight path walking, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). Results Among PWP, F8W time and steps related to: usual gait speed (r = -0.660, -0.650); stride time variability (r = 0.377, 0.438); cognition (r = -0.293, time only); and physical function (r = -0.532, - 0.619), allp< .05. Area under the curve (AUC) analyses demonstrated greater sensitivity and specificity of F8W performance (0.811, 0.790) compared to usual gait speed (0.729) to recognize the motor skill of walking in PWP from that of OA. Conclusion The F8W is a valid indicator of the motor skill of walking in PWP. Use of the F8W may uncover walking difficulties not identified by usual gait speed.