Journal article
Is gait variability reliable in older adults and Parkinson's disease? Towards an optimal testing protocol
Gait & Posture, Vol.37(4), pp.580-585
2013
Abstract
Background
Despite the widespread use of gait variability in research and clinical studies, testing protocols designed to optimise its reliability have not been established. This study evaluates the impact of testing protocol and pathology on the reliability of gait variability.
Objective
To (i) estimate the reliability of gait variability during continuous and intermittent walking protocols in older adults and people with Parkinson's disease (PD), (ii) determine optimal number of steps for acceptable levels of reliability of gait variability and (iii) provide sample size estimates for use in clinical trials.
Methods
Gait variability was measured twice, one week apart, in 27 older adults and 25 PD participants. Participants walked at their preferred pace during: (i) a continuous 2 min walk and (ii) 3 intermittent walks over a 12 m walkway. Gait variability was calculated as the within-person standard deviation for step velocity, length and width, and step, stance and swing duration.
Results
Reliability of gait variability ranged from poor to excellent (intra class correlations .041–.860; relative limits of agreement 34–89%). Gait variability was more reliable during continuous walks. Control and PD participants demonstrated similar reliability. Increasing the number of steps improved reliability, with most improvement seen across the first 30 steps.
Conclusions
In this study, we identified testing protocols that improve the reliability of measuring gait variability. We recommend using a continuous walking protocol and to collect no fewer than 30 steps. Early PD does not appear to impact negatively on the reliability of gait variability.
Details
- Title
- Is gait variability reliable in older adults and Parkinson's disease? Towards an optimal testing protocol
- Authors/Creators
- B. Galna (Author/Creator)S. Lord (Author/Creator)L. Rochester (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Gait & Posture, Vol.37(4), pp.580-585
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Identifiers
- 991005545124807891
- Copyright
- © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.82 Gait & Posture
- 1.82.263 Gait and Balance
- Web Of Science research areas
- Neurosciences
- Orthopedics
- Sport Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine