Abstract
IntroductionObservational gait analysis is a widely used skill in physical therapy. Meanwhile, the skill has not been investigated using objective assessments. The present study investigated the differences in eye movement between professionals and trainees, while observing gait analysis.MethodsThe participants included in this study were 26 professional physical therapists and 26 physical therapist trainees. The participants, wearing eye tracker systems, were asked to describe gait abnormalities of a patient as much as possible. The eye movement parameters of interest were fixation count, average fixation duration, and total fixation duration.ResultsThe number of gait abnormalities described was significantly higher in professionals than in trainees, overall and in limbs of the patient. The fixation count was significantly higher in professionals when compared to trainees. Additionally, the average fixation duration and total fixation duration were significantly shorter in professionals. Conversely, in trunks, the number of gait abnormalities and eye movements showed no significant differences between groups.ConclusionsProfessionals require shorter fixation durations on areas of interest than trainees, while describing a higher number of gait abnormalities.
Highlights
Observational gait analysis is a widely used skill in physical therapy
Eye movement during gait analysis therapy programs. [1,2,3,4] Computerized three-dimensional gait analysis technology is not commonly available in clinical practice, its application is complex and time demanding, and clinicians are often unfamiliar with its results and terminology. [1,2,3,4] Observational gait analysis is the most widely used method of gait analysis in clinical settings because it is a fast, simple and inexpensive method. [1,2,3,4] It should be noted that observational gait analysis is a learned skill because it requires a wide variety of movements of different parts of the body at the same time
Eye tracking technology shows an objective assessment of skills, better than the subjective assessments that are currently available
Summary
Observational gait analysis is a widely used skill in physical therapy. The skill has not been investigated using objective assessments. The present study investigated the differences in eye movement between professionals and trainees, while observing gait analysis
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