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BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
Published in: BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Discriminant validity and test re-test reproducibility of a gait assessment in patients with vestibular dysfunction

Authors: Annatina Schmidheiny, Jaap Swanenburg, Dominik Straumann, Eling D. de Bruin, Ruud H. Knols

Published in: BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Gait function may be impaired in patients with vestibular disorders, making gait assessment in the clinical setting relevant for this patient population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the discriminant validity of a gait assessment protocol between patients with vestibular disorders and healthy participants. Furthermore, test re-test reproducibility and the measurement error of gait performance measures in patients with vestibular lesions was performed under different walking conditions.

Methods

Gait parameters of thirty-five patients with vestibular disorders and twenty-seven healthy controls were assessed twice with the GAITRite® system. Discriminant validity, reproducibility (intra class correlation [ICC]) and the measurement error (standard error of measurement [SEM], smallest detectable change [SDC]) were determined for gait speed, cadence and step length. Bland-Altman plots were made to assess systematic bias between tests.

Results

A significant effect of grouping on gait performance indicates discriminant validity of gait assessment. All tests revealed differences between patients and healthy controls (p < 0.01). The ICCs for test re-test reproducibility were excellent (0.70-0.96) and measurement error showed acceptable SDC values for gait parameters derived from three walking conditions (9-19 %). Bland-Altman plots indicated no systematic bias.

Conclusions

Good validity and reproducibility of GAITRite® system measurements suggest that this system could facilitate the study of gait in patients with vestibular disorders in clinical settings. The SDC values for gait are generally small enough to detect changes after a rehabilitation program for patients with vestibular disorders.
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Metadata
Title
Discriminant validity and test re-test reproducibility of a gait assessment in patients with vestibular dysfunction
Authors
Annatina Schmidheiny
Jaap Swanenburg
Dominik Straumann
Eling D. de Bruin
Ruud H. Knols
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6815
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12901-015-0019-8

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