From the Guidelines
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple clinical assessment tool used to evaluate mobility, balance, and fall risk in older adults and individuals with mobility impairments, where a recorded time of >12 seconds is associated with increased fall risk. The test measures the time it takes for a person to rise from a standard armchair, walk three meters at a comfortable pace, turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit down again 1. The TUG test requires minimal equipment (just a chair, measuring tape, and stopwatch) and takes only 1-2 minutes to administer, making it practical for clinical settings 1. Some key points to consider when administering the TUG test include:
- Patients should wear their regular footwear and use any walking aids they normally require during the assessment 1
- The test should be performed at a comfortable pace, with the patient walking three meters, turning around, and walking back to the chair 1
- A time of >12 seconds may indicate increased fall risk in older adults, prompting further assessment and intervention 1 Healthcare providers often use this test as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment or to monitor progress during rehabilitation, as it assesses multiple components of functional mobility simultaneously, including strength, balance, coordination, and gait speed 1. For best results, the test should be administered in a straightforward and standardized manner, with the patient's safety and comfort being the top priority 1.
From the Research
Overview of the Timed Up and Go Test
- The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a widely used clinical performance-based measure of lower extremity function, mobility, and fall risk 2, 3.
- It is an easy, fast, and simple method of examining functional mobility and balance without special equipment 2.
- The test involves timing how long it takes for an individual to stand up from a chair, walk a short distance, turn around, and return to the chair 3, 4.
Properties and Applications of the TUG Test
- The TUG test has been found to be a useful tool for assessing functional mobility in older adults, even in those who are healthy 3.
- It does not suffer from ceiling effect limitations and is normally distributed, making it a reliable measure 3.
- The test has been shown to be related to executive function, with cognitive resources playing a role in its performance 3.
- An accelerometer can be used to enhance the TUG test, providing additional information on fall risk and mobility 4.
Predictive Value of the TUG Test
- The TUG test has been found to have limited ability to predict falls in community-dwelling elderly individuals when used in isolation 5.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that the test was more useful at ruling in rather than ruling out falls in individuals classified as high risk 5.
- A cut-off point of 12 seconds or less has been recommended for community-dwelling elderly women to indicate normal mobility 6.
Clinical Use of the TUG Test
- The TUG test can be used as a screening tool to determine whether an in-depth mobility assessment and early intervention are necessary 6.
- It can be used to identify individuals at risk of falls and to monitor changes in mobility over time 2, 3.
- The test can be performed quickly and easily in a clinical setting, making it a useful tool for clinicians 2, 3.