Timed up and Go Assessment (TUG)

Name:

Timed Up and Go Assessment (TUG)

Purpose: To assess a person’s mobility and risk of falling by observing the various requirements that enable us to walk.

Directions: First, explain the procedures of the Timed Up and Go test. Next, perform a quick demonstration of the test showing them how to properly get up out of the chair, the path to follow, and how to safely return to a sitting position in the chair. Make sure that the patient is wearing proper clothing, well-fitting shoes, and any form of walking aid that they use in their daily lives. Once the client is confident in their understanding and ability to complete the TUG test, have them sit in the chair and start the test when you say “GO.” Be sure to time from the moment you say go until they are completely seated back in the chair. As the administrator, make sure to thoroughly analyze the patient’s postural stability, gait, stride length, sway, and speed. You will then rank each component of mobility from 3 – 0 by circling the corresponding levels of ability in the appropriate box. A score of 3 indicates the greatest level of immobility and would recommend that the patient continue with a physical therapy program to decrease the risk of falling. A score of 0 indicates no restrictions in mobility and no true risk of falling.

Component of Mobility / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
Postural Stability / No ability to balance and very poor posture. / Little ability to balance and poor posture. / Moderate ability to balance and good posture. / Normal ability to balance and great posture.
Gait / No plantar and dorsiflexion in leg and foot; No swing or bend of the leg. / Little plantar and dorsiflexion in leg and foot; little swing or bend of the leg. / Moderate plantar and dorsiflexion in leg and foot; moderate swing or bend of leg. / Normal plantar and dorsiflexion in leg and foot; normal swing and bend of leg.
Stride Length / Greater than –40 cm. from the height vs. length average. / Greater than –20 cm. from the height vs. length average. / Falls within ± 10cm. from the height vs. length average. / Falls within ± 5 cm. from the height vs. length average.
Sway / Body and arms do not swing, are stiff, and do not correspond to stride. / Body and arms slightly swing, are slightly stiff, and slightly correspond to stride. / Body and arms moderately swing, are moderately stiff, and mostly correspond to stride. / Body and arms swing normally through full range, are limber, and opposite of stride.
Speed / Longer than 15 Seconds / 12 – 14seconds / 10 - 11 seconds / Less than 8 – 9 seconds