Dynamic Gait Index PDF - Overview
Dynamic Gait Index assesses individual’s ability to modify balance while walking in the presence of external demands. The DGI was developed as a clinical tool to assess gait, balance and fall risk. It evaluates not only the. usual steady-state walking, but also walking during more challenging tasks.
The Dynamic Gait Index showed high reliability and showed evidence of concurrent validity with other balance and mobility scales. It is a useful clinical tool for evaluating dynamic balance in ambulatory people, DGI total scores, administered by using the published instructions, showed moderate interrater reliability with subjects with vestibular disorders.
Dynamic Gait Index
The Dynamic Gait Index tests the ability of the participant to maintain walking balance while responding to different task demands, through various dynamic conditions. It is a useful test in individuals with vestibular and balance problems and those at risk of falls.
- It includes eight items, walking on level surfaces, changing speeds, head turns in horizontal and vertical directions, walking and turning 180 degrees to stop, stepping over and around obstacles, and stair ascent and descent.
- Each item is scored on a scale of 0 to 3, with 3 indicating normal performance and 0 representing severe impairment.
- The best possible score on the DGI is a 24
Test Protocol of Dynamic Gait Index
- Gait level surface
- Change in gait speed
- Gait with horizontal head turns
- Gait with vertical head turns
- Gait and pivot turn
- Step over obstacle
- Step around obstacles
- Steps
Scoring
- A four-point ordinal scale, ranging from 0-3. “0” indicates the lowest level of function and “3” the highest level of function.
- Total Score = 24
- Interpretation < 19/24 = predictive of falls in the elderly, > 22/24 = safe ambulators