title: Reliability of the Dynamic Gait Index in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a reliable tool for assessing balance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to determine the validity of the DGI by using the 6.1-m timed walk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Instrument reliability test: physical therapists viewed a videotape of 10 subjects with MS performing the DGI and scored their gait by using DGI criteria. Two weeks after the first session, therapists' viewed the videotape again and scored subjects' gait to establish interrater reliability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven physical therapists and 10 people with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total DGI scores and each of the 8 DGI items were compared between and within raters (physical therapists). Time to walk 6.1m was compared with the total DGI score to examine concurrent validity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interrater reliability for total DGI scores was .983, with each of the 8 items ranging from .910 to .976 (intraclass correlation coefficient, P<.05). Intrarater reliability for total DGI scores ranged between .760 and .986 (Pearson bivariate analysis, P<.05). An inverse relationship of -.801 (Pearson bivariate analysis, P<.01) existed between the total DGI scores and the 6.1-m walk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DGI is a reliable functional assessment tool that correlated inversely with timed walk, showing its concurrent validity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science and Nutrition, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McConvey
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015588:Observer Variation; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014743:Videotape Recording