The validity and reliability of the GAITRite system's measurements: A preliminary evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the concurrent validity and reliability of the GAITRite computerized gait analysis system with validated paper-and-pencil and video-based methods.


METHODS
Within-groups, repeated-measures design.


METHODS
Research laboratory in a physical therapy education program.


METHODS
One healthy woman, age 27 years.


METHODS
A subject walked across the walkway of the GAITRite system at various walking rates and degrees of step symmetry for 2 of the 3 analyses. Paper placed over the walkway enabled concurrent paper-and-pencil analysis. The subject was concurrently videotaped from the side. For the other analysis, a stride simulator with known step and stride lengths was applied to the walkway to simulate 2 steps and 1 stride.


METHODS
Cadence, walking speed, right and left step and stride lengths, and right and left step times.


RESULTS
Excellent paper-and-pencil and GAITRite correlations (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] > 95) for spatial measures and excellent video-based and GAITRite correlations (ICC > 93) for temporal measures were found. GAITRite measures of step lengths and times were reliable in both walkway center and left-of-center measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on this data, GAITRite is a valid and reliable tool for measuring selected spatial and temporal parameters of gait.
Department of Physical Therapy, New York University, New York, NY, USA. andrew.mcdonough@nyu.edu
A L
AL
McDonough
M
M
Batavia
F C
FC
Chen
S
S
Kwon
J
J
Ziai
D000328:Adult; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking