Association of Seat Height and Arm Position on the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test Times of Stroke Survivors

OBJECTIVES To investigate (1) the association of seat height and (2) the association of arm position on the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSTS) times of individuals with stroke. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING University-based rehabilitation centre. SUBJECTS Patients (n = 43) with chronic stroke. METHODS The times in completing the FTSTS with different seat height (85%, 100%, and 115% knee height) and arm positions (arms across chest, hands on thighs). RESULTS FTSTS times were significantly different between 85% and 100% seat heights, and between the 85% and 115% seat heights in both arm positions. However, there was no significant difference between the FTSTS times with the two arm positions at any seat height tested. CONCLUSION Seat heights lower than the knee height result in longer FTSTS times, whereas arms positions did not significantly affect the FTSTS times.