Test-Retest Reliability of the Triangle Completion Test.

Abstract

Background: The triangle completion test (TCT) is a clinical measure of spatial navigation that has been associated with vestibular function. There are limited data on its statistical reliability.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the test-retest reliability of the TCT.

Research design: Test-retest study of prospectively recruited participants.

Study sample: Participants aged 60 years or older with no falls within the last 12 months and no history of vestibular dysfunction were recruited. Twenty participants were included, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 69.2 (6.25) years. Participants were equally divided among male and female participants (50.0 percent) and were predominantly White (80.0 percent).

Intervention: Patients walked right triangles with leg lengths 1 meter (m) by 2 m by 2.23 m. Participants walked four triangles in the test trial (Trial One) and four triangles in the retest trial (Trial Two) without visual or auditory cues.

Data collection and analysis: Endpoint error and angular deviation were measured for each triangle. Participants were retested three hours later. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and absolute reliability was assessed using the minimal detectable change (MDC).

Results: In Trial One, participants had a mean endpoint error of 80.5 (53.4) centimeters (cm) and a mean angular deviation of 12.5 (4.82) degrees. In Trial Two, participants had a mean endpoint error of 64.4 (23.6) cm and a mean angular deviation of 14.4 (6.91) degrees. Endpoint error had poor reliability (ICC 0.05, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: -1.41, 0.62), whereas angular deviation had fair reliability (ICC 0.72, 95 percent CI: 0.28, 0.89). The endpoint error had an MDC of 144.7 cm, and the angular deviation had an MDC of 7.13 degrees.

Conclusions: TCT angular deviation shows promise for good reliability, whereas endpoint error showed poor reliability. Further refinements to the TCT are needed to improve clinical feasibility and reliability.

Clinical relevance statement: These results call into question the feasibility and reliability of the TCT and highlight the need for protocol standardization and optimization.