Reliability of three-dimensional gait analysis in adults with acquired incomplete spinal cord injury

Abstract

Background: Incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) results in varying degrees of gait impairments. Three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis has been recommended as part of a standardised gait assessment for individuals with incomplete SCI. However, reliability of 3D gait analysis has not been established for this population. The aim of the present study was to investigate intra- and inter-session reliability of gait kinematics in a group of individuals with incomplete SCI. We also sought to estimate the changes required to exceed measurement errors for the kinematic variables used in evaluation of gait impairments for this study group. Conclusion: In general, the results exhibited very high intra- and inter-session reliability, indicating only a small trial-to-trial and day-to-day gait variation in this study group. The results also showed that, except for hip rotation, only small changes were required to exceed measurement errors for kinematic variables. These results can be used to interpret future 3D gait analysis results when evaluating gait impairments in individuals with SCI. The results suggested that 3D gait analysis is a reliable measure for adults with acquired SCI (AIS-D) both for clinical and research purposes. However, caution is recommended when evaluating hip rotation.