Intra- and Inter- Rater Reliability Measurements of Kinematic and Temporo-Spatial Parameters of Gait Using a Simple Video Technique

U Chris Ugbolue Enrica Papi

doi:10.4172/2155-9538.s1-003

Abstract

A simple and cost effective technique of video gait analysis applicable within rehabilitation clinics and clinical gait laboratories has been developed. The purpose of this study was to determine intra- and inter- rater reliability of kinematic and temporo-spatial gait parameters measured using the commercially available ProTrainer system (Sports Motion Inc®, Cardiff, CA) software, a printed vinyl walk mat and a video camera. Twelve healthy adults, four stroke patients and three raters participated in the study. The experimental setup comprised the walk mat, paper ‘bulls-eye’ markers, four photoswitches mounted on tripods, a light indicator, video camera, and a computer with the software. Participants performed three gait trials each up and down the walk mat. Three raters evaluated the results using the ProTrainer system (Sports Motion Inc®, Cardiff, CA) software. Values were extracted for kinematic and temporo- spatial gait measurements. Data were analysed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for intra-rater reliability to calculate ICC values with 95% Confidence Intervals. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was used to quantify the intra-rater reliability. The ICC values for both intra and inter-rater reliability ranged between 0.731 and 1.000. The results suggest this gait measurement technique is simple, reliable, effective and easy to implement as a gait outcome measuring system.

Highlights

Gait analysis is an effective way of assessing the walking ability of individuals
Rehabilitation and gait research have focused on outcome measures such as: qualitative observational methods [5], the Functional Ambulatory Categories (FAC) [6], the Modified Rivermead Mobility Index [7], the semi quantitative clinical scales such as the TimedUp-and-Go test (TUG) [8], the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) [9] and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) [10]
We have developed a new video gait assessment that incorporates techniques developed by Wall [24] and applied by Rowe and others [25,26] in which the participant walks across a 6 metre long, high-contrast-grid vinyl mat while being video-filmed

Summary

Introduction

Gait analysis is an effective way of assessing the walking ability of individuals. From a clinical perspective clinical gait assessment plays a significant role in physical medicine and rehabilitation [1]. Rehabilitation and gait research have focused on outcome measures such as: qualitative observational methods [5], the Functional Ambulatory Categories (FAC) [6], the Modified Rivermead Mobility Index [7], the semi quantitative clinical scales such as the TimedUp-and-Go test (TUG) [8], the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) [9] and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) [10]. These clinical assessments provide useful information about gait and posture. Examples of such systems include: the Clinical Stride Analyser® [11,12]; GAITRite® Electronic Walkway Mat [13,14,15,16,17,18]; Biometrics

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