Test-re-test reliability of walking speed, step length and step width measurement after traumatic brain injury: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the test-re-test reliability of walking speed, step length and step width measurement in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
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.


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.
van Loo
M A
MA
Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
Moseley
A M
AM
Bosman
J M
JM
de Bie
R A
RA
Hassett
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking