4MWT app for iPhone and iPad

Liability Notice:

This program is for use by health care professionals to collect measurements that reflect walking ability. It is to be used with patients who can safely walk at least 20 feet with or without assistance or the need to use an assistive device. The user must take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the patient.The creators of this application assume no responsibility for improper use or for any injury that may result.

The application allows the user to obtain a report which interprets the meaning of the results, based on what has been found in the research literature. At the bottom of this report, and before the list of references is the following disclaimer.

Disclaimer:

The interpretation above is based on the literature which links walking speed to functional ability. Few, if any, of these studies used the 4 meter walk test protocol that is part of the NIHToolbox. Much of the research linking walking speed to function and risk levels is based on data collected on elderly subjects and may therefore not be applicable to younger populations. Not all subjects walking at a given speed will demonstrate the same limitations. Consequently care must be taken in applying all elements of the interpretation to a given patient. The health care professional must rely on his/her clinical judgement in determining the applicability of the interpretation to the patient.