Table 7 Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)

  • Ask patient if they think it is safe for them to try and stand up from a chair five times without using their arms.

  • If yes, instruct patient to stand up straight and then sit back down again as quickly as they can five times, without stopping in between, keeping their arms folded over their chest.

  • Demonstrate.

  • Begin the stopwatch when patient begins to stand up. Count aloud each time patient rises.

  • Stop the stopwatch when subject has straightened up completely for the fifth time. Also stop if the subject uses arms, if they have not completed rises after 1 min, or if concerned about their safety.

- <5 stands completed in ≤1 min = 0 pts.

- 5 stands in >16.7 s and ≤1 min = 1 pt.

- 5 stands in 16.6–13.7 s = 2 pts.

- 5 stands in 13.6–11.2 s = 3 pts.

- 5 stands in <11.1 s = 4 pts

Semitandem:

  • Instruct patient to stand with the side of the heel of one foot touching the big toe of the other foot for 10 s (left/right feet as preferred by patient).

  • Demonstrate

  • Stand next to patient to help them into a semitandem position, allowing them to hold onto your arms to establish balance.

  • Begin timing when patient has the feet in position.

  • If unable to hold the semitandem position for 10 s → side-by-side.

  • If able to hold the semitandem position for 10 s → tandem.

  → Side-by-side:

  As for semitandem but with feet together. Patients may use their arms, bend their knees, or move their body to maintain balance, but may not move their feet.

  → Tandem:

  As for semitandem but with the heel of one foot in-front-of and touching the toes of the other foot.

- Side-by-side: <10 s or unable = 0 pts.

- Side-by-side: ≥10 s; semitandem: <10 s = 1 pt.

- Semitandem: ≥10 s; tandem: 0–2 s = 2 pts.

- Semitandem: ≥10 s; tandem: 3–9 s = 3 pts.

- Tandem: ≥10 s = 4 pts

  • Instruct patient to walk at their usual pace to the other end of course (a distance of 8 ft) and to continue walking until they pass the end of the tape. If they use a cane or other walking aid outside of their home, they should use it for the test.

  • Press the start button on the stopwatch as the participant begins walking. Walk with the patient.

  • Measure the time they take to complete the 8-ft course.

- Unable to complete course = 0 pts.

- Completed course in >5.7 s = 1 pt.

- Completed course in 4.1–6.5 s = 2 pts.

- Completed course in 3.2–4.0 s = 3 pts.

- Completed course in <3.1 s = 4 pts