Validity and reliability of tests to assess motor ability in people with Huntington's disease: a systematic re-view of the literature
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15855468%20Keywords:
Motor assessment, Reliability, Functional mobility, Balance, Digital monitoring, Assessment tools, Neurodegenerative disordersAbstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. Due to significant motor difficulties, accurate assessment of motor abilities is crucial for monitoring disease progression. The aim of the review was to evaluate the validity and reliability of clinical tests used to assess motor abilities in individuals with HD. A systematic review of the literature in the PubMed and Scopus databases included studies that examined the reliability and/or validity of various clinical tests in individuals with HD. Twelve studies were included in the analysis. The most commonly used and reliable tests are: the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale, the Timed Up and Go test, the Berg Balance Scale, the Tinetti Mobility Test, the Functional Reach Test, and the Six-Minute Walk Test. Digital tools, dynamometry, and gait analysis also show promise. Balance and mobility tests, such as the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, Tinetti Mobility Test, and the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale, consistently demonstrated high reliability and validity. These tools are well-suited for clinical use in assessing motor function in individuals with Huntington’s disease. However, further research with larger and more homogeneous samples is needed to confirm these findings and improve generalizability.
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