The validity and reliability of the modified Four Square Step Test (mFSST) in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis.

Serbay Sekeroz, Meryem Buke, Server Ilter

Abstract readValidation Study

In one paragraph

Article in Clinical rheumatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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3 authors.

Serbay SekerozDepartment of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8921-8492

Meryem BukeDepartment of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey. meryem_buke@hotmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5700-9407

Server IlterDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5436-7500

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThis study aimed to examine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the modified Four Square Step Test (mFSST) in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

methodsForty-eight participants diagnosed with AS were included. The mFSST was administered twice on the same day with a 1-h seated rest to assess reliability. Concurrent validity was tested with the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Five Times Sit-to-Stand (5xSTS), and Functional Reach (FR) tests, as well as disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)) and functional status (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI)) indices. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change (MDC

resultsThe mFSST demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.952), with SEM = 0.42 s and MDC

conclusionsThe mFSST is a reliable and valid tool for assessing dynamic balance in AS. Its brevity, minimal equipment needs, and interpretable error metrics support integration into clinical practice for baseline profiling and outcome monitoring. The MDC

Indexed as

Exercise TestSpondylitis, AnkylosingAdultDisability EvaluationFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedReproducibility of ResultsSeverity of Illness IndexAnkylosing spondylitisMobility limitationPostural balancePsychometricsReproducibility of results

Identifiers

PMID41677973

DOI10.1007/s10067-026-07980-9

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