Agreement Between the GAITRite Walkway System and a Stopwatch-Footfall Count Method for Measurement of Temporal and Spatial Gait Parameters
James W. Youdas, PT, MS; John H. Hollman, PT; PhD, Monica J. Aalbers, MPT; Holly N. Ahrenholz, MPT; Rebecca A. Aten, MPT; Joseph J. Cremers, MPT
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2006;87:1648-52

"MEASUREMENTS OF TEMPORAL and spatial gait parameters are commonly used by rehabilitation professionals to identify gait deviations, to screen elderly people for risk of falling, to monitor patient progress, and to determine the effectiveness of therapy interventions. The GAITRite analysis system is a popular computerized walkway system for the quantification of temporal and spatial gait parameters. The standard system is a portable, carpeted electronic walkway embedded with pressure sensors that detect a series of footfalls. The walkway is connected to a personal computer with application software that calculates the temporal and spatial gait parameters. Recently, numerous investigators have examined the validity and reliability of the GAITRite system. The GAITRite has shown high levels of concurrent validity for obtaining measurements of temporal and spatial parameters when compared with (1) a 6-camera motion analysis system (Vicon 512), (2) a single-camera video-based system (Peak Performance 3.1), (3) a Clinical Stride Analyzer composed of a pair of insoles inserted within a subject's shoes, (4) a paper-and-pencil method, and (5) a standard video camera. Furthermore, investigators have quantified the test-retest reliability of temporal and spatial parameters obtained with the GAITRite over a 2-week period, over a 1-week period, over a 24-hour period, and on the same day. These repeated measurements were highly reliable, indicating there is minimal error variation associated with the measurement of temporal and spatial parameters when using the GAITRite system.

DATA ANALYSIS: ...to quantify a clinically significant difference between the methods for the 3 temporal and spatial parameters, we calculated the minimal detectable change (MDC), or the minimal amount of change not likely to be attributed to chance variation in a measurement.

DISCUSSION: ...Unlike the GAITRite system, the stopwatch-footfall count technique will not provide a clinician with information about symmetry between the right and left sides during the gait cycle.

CONCLUSION: This study showed that the stopwatch-footfall count method is valid for estimating walking speed on the basis of MDC in a group of healthy participants walking at their self-selected speeds. Clinicians who require the precise measurement of cadence and stride length should consider using the GAITRite system as opposed to the stopwatch-footfall method."

Within-day reliability of temporal-spatial gait parameters associated with rheumatoid arthritic feet
Dr Keith Rome, PhD, MSc, BSc, SRCh , Nigel CA Hanchard, MSc, MCSP
Musculoskeletal Care 2005; 3(1):17-23

Objective: To determine whether the GAITRite system can reliably measure temporal and spatial gait parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritic feet.

Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were each measured on two separate occasions on the same outpatient visit. Temporal and spatial gait parameter readings were recorded for each of three walks across the GAITRite mat. Intraclass correlations (2,1) in combination with within-subject standard deviation were used to quantify within-day reliability.

Results: The intraclass correlation, ranging from 0.75 to 0.87, demonstrated excellent within-day repeatability for walking speed, cadence, step length and stride length. Good reliability was reported with cycle time (0.74) and base of support (0.62). Within-subject standard deviation allows these to be used in a clinical setting.

Conclusion: The within-day reliability of temporal and spatial gait parameters in rheumatoid arthritic patients has been demonstrated in the current study. However, further investigation of between-day reliability is necessary and would provide clinicians with reliable data in the objective assessment and any form of intervention in rheumatoid arthritis patients.