Reliability of tele-assessment of five repetition sit to stand and timed up and go tests in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain

Telerehabilitation has become a frequently preferred option in the follow-up and treatment processes of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) in recent years. One of the most important components in the rehabilitation of patients with NSLBP is a comprehensive assessment. Physical performance assessments such as the Five Repetition Sit to Stand Test (5xSTS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) stand out as tests often used in clinical measurements in patients with NSLBP.

This study aimed to assess reliability of tele-assessment of 5xSTS and TUG tests in patients with NSLBP.

Patients with NSLBP with low back pain for at least 3 months were included in the study. All tests were performed face-to-face and remotely. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were used to determine the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

Inter-rater reliability results between face-to-face and tele-assessment were excellent for both 5xSTS (ICC = 0.966) and TUG (ICC = 0.900). In addition, the intra-rater reliability results obtained between face-to-face and tele-assessment showed excellent for both 5xSTS (ICC = 0.979) and TUG (ICC = 0.958).

This study suggests that these tests can be used reliably at home or remotely in different settings as well as in the clinic.