Construction and validation of the 4-item dynamic gait index.
OBJECTIVE
People with balance disorders often have difficulty walking. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a short form of the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) for the clinical measurement of walking function in people with balance and vestibular disorders.


METHODS
A total of 123 subjects with such disorders (test subjects) and 103 control subjects were included in this study.


METHODS
Rasch and factor analyses were used to create a short form of the DGI. Internal consistency and discriminative validity for test subjects versus control subjects and for falling versus nonfalling test subjects were evaluated.


RESULTS
Four items were selected for the shorter version of the test: gait on level surfaces, changes in gait speed, and horizontal and vertical head turns.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical psychometric properties of the 4-item DGI were equivalent or superior to those of the 8-item test. The 4-item DGI can be used by clinicians to measure gait in people with balance and vestibular disorders without compromising important clinical measurement characteristics.
Marchetti
Gregory F
GF
Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Whitney
Susan L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D011594:Psychometrics; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*