Test–re-test reliability of walking speed, step length and step width measurement after traumatic brain injury: a pilot study

Abstract

Primary objective: Assess the test–re-test reliability of walking speed, step length and step width measurement in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI).Research design: Repeated measures (two test occasions).Methods: Thirteen people with TBI completed four comfortable and four fast-paced walking trials of the 10 m walk test and two trials of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Walking speed, step length and step width were measured during the 10 m walk test and walking distance and average speed were measured during the 6MWT. The tests were repeated 1-week later.Main results: Walking speed and distance showed excellent test–re-test reliability, with an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95–0.96. Reliability was also high for step length and width measurement (ICC 0.91–0.98).Conclusions: This test–re-test reliability means that walking speed and distance and step length and width can be used by physiotherapists to monitor improvements in walking after TBI.