Assessment of the relationship between observational Wisconsin Gait Scale and Gait indexes such as Gait Deviation Index and Gait Variability Index in individuals after stroke

Abstract

There are no studies evaluating compatibility of visual gait assessment scales and Gait Deviation Index (GDI), Gait Variability Index (GVI) in individuals after stroke. The study was designed to compare results of the observational Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) and the global gait indexes such as GDI and GVI, constituting an objective method of assessing gait. The objective was to answer the question whether simple, inexpensive, easy to use, observational WGS may be an effective alternative for costly equipment-based analyses in assessing gait after stroke. The study group comprised 50 participants who had experienced a stroke and were in a chronic phase of recovery, as well as 50 healthy individuals, without gait disorders. The subjects’ gait was evaluated using the WGS, and the GDI and GVI values were acquired using a 3-dimensional gait analysis system. GDI was calculated based on kinematic parameters, while GVI was computed from spatiotemporal parameters. The study has shown statistically significant correlations between the parameters of GDI affected leg and WGS total score (R = −0.87), GVI affected leg and WGS total score (R = −0.93), GVI unaffected leg and WGS total score (R = −0.88), GVI affected/unaffected leg and the total score in the assessment of spatiotemporal parameters on the WGS (R = −0.81) as well as GDI affected leg and the total score in the assessment of kinematics parameters on the WGS (R = −0.85). All correlations were strong (0.7 ≤ |R| < 0.9) or very strong (0.9 ≤ |R| < 1). There is a strong or very strong correlation of the GDI and GVI to the WGS scores. WGS is an excellent tool enabling qualitative assessment of gait abnormalities in individuals after a stroke, and providing results, which correspond with the objective assessment of spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters, i.e. by means of global gait indexes. WGS should be applied in daily clinical practice.