Reliability and validity of two square agility test and workability rate of manipulation in adults with musculoskeletal disorders

[Purpose] Study assessed test-retest reliability, minimal detectable change (MDC95), concurrent validity, and known-groups validity of Two Square Agility Test (TSAT) and WorkAbility Rate of Manipulation (WRM) in adults with musculoskeletal disorders. [Participants and Methods] Fifty-five participants (mean age: 61.3 ± 15.3 years) transitioning from physical therapy completed TSAT and WRM subtests for Turning (WRMT) and Placing (WRMP) in both sessions. In session 2, participants also completed Grip Strength (GS), 10-Meter Walk at usual (GSU) and fast (GSF) pace, and Grooved Pegboard Placing (GPP) and Remove (GPR). [Results] Test-retest reliability was good for TSAT (ICC=0.89) and WRMT (ICC=0.86), and excellent for WRMP (ICC=0.93). MDC95 was 0.74 steps/sec for TSAT, 13.1 parts/min for WRMT, and 6.5 parts/min for WRMP. TSAT correlated moderately with GSF (r=0.52) and GSU (r=0.50). WRMT and WRMP correlated highly (r=0.71). WRMT correlated highly with GPP (r=0.74), low with GPR (r=0.46) and negligible with GS (r=0.17). WRMP correlated highly with GPP (r=0.79), moderately with GPR (r=0.55) and negligible with GS (r=0.20). WRM differed by age and TSAT by age and body mass index. [Conclusions] Findings support reliability and validity of TSAT and WRM to assess adults with musculoskeletal disorders.