Reliability and Validity of Tele-Assessment for Functional Performance in Older vs. Younger Adults

Establishing the Reliability and Validity of Tele-Assessment for Functional Performance in Older Adults: A Comparative Study With Younger Individuals

This cross-sectional, comparative study aims to examine the intra-rater reliability, validity, and feasibility of tele-assessment versions of three functional mobility tests-the Timed Up and Go (TUG), 30-second Sit-to-Stand (30sSTS), and Gait Speed Test (GST)-in community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years). To provide a comparative perspective, the same assessments will also be administered to a younger, healthy control group (18-44 years). The study seeks to determine whether tele-assessment can serve as a robust and practical alternative to in-person testing, thereby enhancing accessibility and ensuring high-quality functional evaluation in geriatric populations.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Young Adults; Older Adults (65 Years and Older); Geriatric Health

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 180

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Sezen Karabörklü Argut, PhD; Phone Number: +90 212 866 37 00; Email: s.karaborkluargut@iuc.edu.tr

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Buyukcekmece
    • Istanbul, Buyukcekmece, Turkey (Türkiye), 34500
      • Recruiting
      • Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Health Sciences
      • Principal Investigator: Sezen Karaborklu Argut, PhD
      • Contact: Derya Celik, Professor; Phone Number: 28023 +90 212 866 37 00; Email: deryacelik@iuc.edu.tr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy Older Adults and Younger Adults (as control)

Description

• Inclusion Criteria (Older Adults, ≥65 years) Community-dwelling Independent in activities of daily living Able to provide informed consent Capable of performing TUG, 30sSTS, and GST without assistance
• Inclusion Criteria (Younger Adults, 18-44 years) Healthy individuals without acute or chronic conditions affecting mobility Able to provide informed consent Capable of performing TUG, 30sSTS, and GST independently
• Exclusion Criteria (both groups) Diagnosed neurological disorders (other than age-related decline) Uncontrolled cardiovascular or metabolic disease Recent surgery or fractures Severe cognitive impairment Contraindications to physical activity Lack of access to required telecommunication technology

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Primary Cohort: Older Adults; Primary Cohort (Older adults) included individuals aged ≥65 years, living independently in the community, without severe cognitive, visual, or musculoskeletal impairments that would prevent participation.
Comparison Cohort: Young Adults; Comparison Cohort (Young Adults) included healthy individuals aged 18-44 years, without acute or chronic health conditions affecting mobility.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Timed Up and Go (TUG)	Time (seconds) to complete the test, assessed face-to-face and via tele-assessment.	Baseline
Timed Up and Go (TUG)	Time (seconds) to complete the test, assessed face-to-face and via tele-assessment.	One week later
30-second Sit-to-Stand Test (30sSTS)	Number of sit-to-stand repetitions performed within 30 seconds, assessed face-to-face and via tele-assessment.	Baseline
30-second Sit-to-Stand Test (30sSTS)	Number of sit-to-stand repetitions performed within 30 seconds, assessed face-to-face and via tele-assessment.	One week later
Gait Speed Test (GST)	Gait speed (m/s) over a 4-meter course, assessed face-to-face and via tele-assessment.	Baseline
Gait Speed Test (GST)	Gait speed (m/s) over a 4-meter course, assessed face-to-face and via tele-assessment.	One week later

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 20, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 17, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): November 19, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 22, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025.17031

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No