Psychometric properties of the 1-sit-to-stand test in pulmonary hypertension

<bold>Background:</bold> The one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-STS) has been used to evaluate patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), however, its psychometric properties are not well established. <bold>Objective:</bold> To assess the 1-STS intra and inter-rater reliability besides validity versus the six-minute walking test (6MWT) in patients with PH. <bold>Methods:</bold> This is a cross-sectional study, with PH patients. All participants performed a 6MWT and two 1-STS, with a half-hour interval between them. Two independent observers measure 1-STS repetitions. Data distribution was assessed by Shapiro-Wilk, reliability through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at 95% level of confidence (MDC95), and validity by Pearson correlation. <bold>Results:</bold> Twelve women with PH (groups 1 and 4) were included, 43.5±13.0 years and a BMI of 25.3±3.5 kg/m². We found a good intra-rater in 1-STS: 23.0±7.5 and 23.5±8.5 repetitions, ICC [0.92 (95% CI 0.76-0.97)], SEM 2.4 and MDC 6.7 repetitions and in the inter-rater were 23.0±7.5 and 22.8±8.8, ICC [0.93 (95% CI 0.77-0.98)], SEM 2.3, and MDC 6.4 repetitions. We also found a strong correlation between 1-STS and 6MWT (r=0.75, p=0.004). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> The 1-STS proved to be reliable, and valid for assessing functional capacity in patients with PH. Still, just one test is enough to determine your measurement.