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A Global Gait Asymmetry Index.
Silvia Cabral1, Renan A Resende, Adam C Clansey
1U Lisboa, Fac Motricidade Humana, CIPER, LBMF, P-1499-002, Lisboa, Portugal.
Journal of Applied Biomechanics
|October 27, 2015
Summary
A new global gait asymmetry (GGA) score effectively identifies gait symmetry levels. This score shows promise for improving gait retraining and assessment in rehabilitation settings.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Science
- Human Movement Analysis
Background:
- Gait asymmetry is linked to various pathologies.
- Current symmetry metrics can be too complex for effective biofeedback in gait retraining.
- There is a need for a simplified, comprehensive gait symmetry metric.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a global gait asymmetry (GGA) score for biofeedback.
- To evaluate the GGA score's effectiveness in classifying induced gait asymmetry.
- To assess the GGA score's sensitivity to varying levels of asymmetry.
Main Methods:
- Developed a GGA score based on multiple joint angles.
- Recruited 18 participants to walk on a treadmill under symmetric and asymmetric conditions using custom sandals.
- Compared GGA scores across different induced symmetry conditions.
Main Results:
- The GGA score was significantly different across all tested symmetry conditions (P < .001).
- The GGA score demonstrated sensitivity to artificially induced levels of gait asymmetry.
- The developed GGA score effectively classified varying degrees of asymmetry.
Conclusions:
- The global gait asymmetry (GGA) score is a sensitive metric for assessing gait symmetry.
- The GGA score has potential utility as a biofeedback tool for gait retraining.
- This score may enhance both the assessment and rehabilitation of gait pathologies.
