Intrarater and interrater reliability of the dynamic gait index in post stroke patients with eye movement disorders.

BACKGROUND

The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a useful tool that has been evaluated for its reliability in patients with vestibular disorders, elderly people and, in chronic stroke population. Present study was aimed to evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability of the DGI to measure dynamic balance and gait performance in stroke patients with eye movement disorders.

METHODS

A sample of 30 stroke patients suffering from eye movement disorders were recruited. Two Physical therapists assessed the intrarater and interrater reliability of the DGI in two testing sessions three days apart. In the later session, two raters assessed the patients' performance simultaneously on the DGI. The reliability was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC2, 1). Standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC95) at 95% confidence interval were also calculated. A significance level was set at p-value <0.05.

RESULTS

The (ICC2, 1) for intrarater and interrater reliability of total DGI scores was 0.86 and 0.91 respectively. While (ICC2, 1) for intrarater and interrater reliability of individual items ranged from 0.73 to 0.91 to 0.73-0.93, respectively. The (SEM) and (MDC95) for intrarater reliability of total DGI scores were 0.76 and 2.10, respectively. Corresponding values for interrater reliability were 0.62 and 1.71, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The DGI is a reliable tool for evaluating the dynamic balance and gait performance in stroke patients with eye movement disorders. This tool showed good to excellent intrarater and interrater reliability of total DGI scores and moderate to good intrarater and interrater reliability of individual items of the DGI.