Validation of a self-implemented Walkway system for gait speed measurement in usual clinical care

Abstract

ObjectivesValidation of an infrared healthcare technology aimed at measuring gait speed in older adults. DesignValidation study. SettingGeriatric Department Participants90 patients from the Falls Unit of the Geriatrics Department for the validation assessment, and 5,328 patients of the Outpatient Clinic under usual care conditions for technology validation. MeasurementsWalking speed was measured manually with a stopwatch as part of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), using the GAITRite™ (first, second and mean of 5 walks) and with the Walkway system. Agreement was determined with the Bland-Altman method. ResultsMean gait speed with the SPPB, GAITRite™ (first, second and mean of 5 walks) and Walkway were 0.68 m/s, 0.77 m/s, 0.81 m/s, 0.71 m/s, and 0.70 m/s respectively. Pearson correlations between the Walkway system and SPPB, GAITRite™ first walk, GAITRite™ second walk, and GAITRite™ mean of 5 walks were 0.822 (p < 0.001), 0.810 (p < 0.001), 0.824 (p < 0.001), and 0.811 (p < 0.001) respectively. The mean difference between the Walkway system and SPPB was 0.02 m/s and 95% of the values were between 0.29 and −0.26. Mean difference between Walkway system and GAITRite™ second walk gait speed was −0.11 and 95% values were between 0.17 and −0.38. Mean walking speed in 5382 outpatients was 0.65 m/s (range 0.13–1.43; 95%CI 0.6453–0.6568). No security problems or technical measurement errors were found using the Walkway system. ConclusionsThe Walkway system presented is a valid, easy-to-use, self-implemented device for walking speed measurement in usual clinical practice with older adults.