An Overview About Figure-of-Eight Walk Test in Neurological Disorders: A Scoping Review

Introduction: The figure-of-eight walk test (F8WT) assesses gait on a curved path, reflecting everyday walking complexity. Despite recognized validity among elderly individuals, its application in neurological disorders remains inadequately explored. This scoping review summarizes evidence regarding...

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Main Authors: Gabriele Triolo, Roberta Lombardo, Daniela Ivaldi, Angelo Quartarone, Viviana Lo Buono
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Neurology International
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2035-8377/17/7/112
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author Gabriele Triolo
Roberta Lombardo
Daniela Ivaldi
Angelo Quartarone
Viviana Lo Buono
author_facet Gabriele Triolo
Roberta Lombardo
Daniela Ivaldi
Angelo Quartarone
Viviana Lo Buono
author_sort Gabriele Triolo
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The figure-of-eight walk test (F8WT) assesses gait on a curved path, reflecting everyday walking complexity. Despite recognized validity among elderly individuals, its application in neurological disorders remains inadequately explored. This scoping review summarizes evidence regarding F8WT use, validity, and clinical applicability among individuals with neurological disorders. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. After reading the full text of the selected studies and applying predefined inclusion criteria, seven studies, involving participants with multiple sclerosis (n = 3 studies), Parkinson’s disease (n = 2 studies), and stroke (n = 2 studies), were included based on pertinence and relevance to the topic. Results: F8WT demonstrated strong reliability and validity across various neurological populations and correlated significantly with established measures of gait, balance, and disease severity. Preliminary evidence supports its ability to discriminate individuals at increased fall risk and detect subtle motor performance changes. Discussion: The F8WT emerges as a valuable tool, capturing multifaceted gait impairments often missed by linear walking assessments. Sensitive to subtle functional changes, it is suitable for tracking disease progression and intervention efficacy. Conclusions: F8WT is reliable and clinically relevant, effectively identifying subtle, complex walking impairments in neurological disorders.
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spelling doaj-art-73936f784aa048779ea8e106a4351fc02025-08-20T03:56:49ZengMDPI AGNeurology International2035-83772025-07-0117711210.3390/neurolint17070112An Overview About Figure-of-Eight Walk Test in Neurological Disorders: A Scoping ReviewGabriele Triolo0Roberta Lombardo1Daniela Ivaldi2Angelo Quartarone3Viviana Lo Buono4IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, ItalyIntroduction: The figure-of-eight walk test (F8WT) assesses gait on a curved path, reflecting everyday walking complexity. Despite recognized validity among elderly individuals, its application in neurological disorders remains inadequately explored. This scoping review summarizes evidence regarding F8WT use, validity, and clinical applicability among individuals with neurological disorders. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. After reading the full text of the selected studies and applying predefined inclusion criteria, seven studies, involving participants with multiple sclerosis (n = 3 studies), Parkinson’s disease (n = 2 studies), and stroke (n = 2 studies), were included based on pertinence and relevance to the topic. Results: F8WT demonstrated strong reliability and validity across various neurological populations and correlated significantly with established measures of gait, balance, and disease severity. Preliminary evidence supports its ability to discriminate individuals at increased fall risk and detect subtle motor performance changes. Discussion: The F8WT emerges as a valuable tool, capturing multifaceted gait impairments often missed by linear walking assessments. Sensitive to subtle functional changes, it is suitable for tracking disease progression and intervention efficacy. Conclusions: F8WT is reliable and clinically relevant, effectively identifying subtle, complex walking impairments in neurological disorders.https://www.mdpi.com/2035-8377/17/7/112F8WTwalkingassessmentstrokeParkinson’s diseasemultiple sclerosis
spellingShingle Gabriele Triolo
Roberta Lombardo
Daniela Ivaldi
Angelo Quartarone
Viviana Lo Buono
An Overview About Figure-of-Eight Walk Test in Neurological Disorders: A Scoping Review
Neurology International
F8WT
walking
assessment
stroke
Parkinson’s disease
multiple sclerosis
title An Overview About Figure-of-Eight Walk Test in Neurological Disorders: A Scoping Review
title_full An Overview About Figure-of-Eight Walk Test in Neurological Disorders: A Scoping Review
title_fullStr An Overview About Figure-of-Eight Walk Test in Neurological Disorders: A Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed An Overview About Figure-of-Eight Walk Test in Neurological Disorders: A Scoping Review
title_short An Overview About Figure-of-Eight Walk Test in Neurological Disorders: A Scoping Review
title_sort overview about figure of eight walk test in neurological disorders a scoping review
topic F8WT
walking
assessment
stroke
Parkinson’s disease
multiple sclerosis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2035-8377/17/7/112
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