Minimal clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefits for single- and dual-task timed up and go test following motor-cognitive training in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE

To establish substantial clinical benefits (SCB) and minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for both the single-task and dual-task timed up and go (TUG) tests in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD).

DESIGN

Prospective pre-post intervention study evaluating the effects of combined motor-cognitive training.

SETTING

Rehabilitation centers.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred fifteen PwPD, with a mean age of 61.33 ± 13.01 years.

INTERVENTIONS: Dual-task motor-cognitive training.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time taken to complete the single-task and dual-task TUG tests, recorded both before and after the intervention. MCIDs were calculated using the anchor-based and distribution-based methods. SCB was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

The anchor-based MCIDs for the single-task and dual-task TUG tests ranged from -0.71 to -1.27, and - 0.82 to -1.81, respectively. The distribution-based MCIDs for the single-task and dual-task TUG tests ranged from -1.07 to -1.14, and - 1.65 to -1.98, respectively. The SCB for both the single-task and dual-task TUG tests was determined to be less than -2.04.

CONCLUSION

This investigation provides critical insights into interpreting changes in functional mobility in PwPD, facilitating informed clinical interventions and enhancing research planning initiatives.