There are recent publications supporting
the physical and functional
benefits of exercise in the management
of AD.^5 Identification of appropriate
and useful outcome measures
for people with AD would
enhance the ability to assess the effectiveness
of interventions in clinical
and research environments. Our
current understanding of the psychometric
properties of specific clinical
tests with this population is limited.
Methodological studies assessing the
reliability of clinical tools for people
with AD or dementia are scarce, but
not nonexistent.'*"^ Given the extremely
limited research available exclusively
vvfith people with a diagnosis
of AD, information gleaned from
research with individuals with other
types of dementia was included inour review of the literature. Mixed
results from studies make it difficult
to know which outcome measures
will best serve physical therapists'
needs in monitoring change in performance
in individuals with AD.
Outcome measures that have been
studied for reliability with individuals
with AD or dementia include: the
Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG),'«?«^
the Six-Minute Walk Test (ÓMWT),"«.«
and gait speed.''''