The comparison of normative reference data from different gait analysis services.
Comparison of normative data between gait analysis services offers the potential to harmonise data collection protocols. This paper presents a method for such a comparison based on an assumption that the root mean square difference from the inter-service mean is a reflection of systematic differences in protocols and that the average standard deviation includes a component attributable to within-centre measurement variability. Substantial normative datasets from two highly respected clinical services were compared. The RMS difference for the difference from the inter-centre mean was less than 1.7° for all kinematic variables apart from hip rotation (2.9°) and foot progression (2.1°), less than 0.1 Nm/kg for all joint moments and than 0.21 W/kg for all joint powers. The two centres showed very similar normative standard deviations. The data demonstrates a high degree of consistency between data from two highly regarded gait analysis services and establishes a baseline against which other services can assess their performance. An electronic appendix includes data to facilitate this comparison.
University of Salford, UK. Electronic address: O.Pinzone@salford.ac.uk.
Ornella
O
Pinzone
Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul, MN, USA; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Michael H
MH
Schwartz
Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Pam
P
Thomason
University of Salford, UK.
Richard
R
Baker
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003625:Data Collection / Q000592:standards*; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012015:Reference Standards
Kinematics; Kinetics; Normative-datasets comparison; Standardization between services