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Inter-trial and test–retest reliability of kinematic and kinetic gait parameters among subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

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Abstract

Gait analysis is actually used in subjects with scoliosis to determine the change in lower limb parameters after surgery, but the reliability of these parameters still remained unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the repeatability of traditional gait parameters in subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to estimate the associated standard error of measurement (SEM). A test–retest design was used to assess the reliability of gait parameters at self-selected and fast speeds. A convenience sample of 20 girls aged from 12 to 17 years, with an idiopathic scoliosis (King classification: types I, II or III; Cobb angle 17–50°) participated in the study. Five good trials were recorded on two occasions. The time-distance, kinematic, and kinetic gait parameters were recorded using foot-switches in combination with a three-dimensional motion analysis system (Optotrak) and Advanced Mechanical Technologies Inc., (AMTI) Watertown, MA, USA; force plates. The coefficients of dependability and SEM derived from the generalizability theory were used to assess the reliability. Inter-trial reliability was good for time-distance, kinematic, and kinetic (absolute and normalized) gait parameters except for the medio-lateral ground reaction force (GRF) component and the ankle dorsiflexor moment (ϕ = 0.60–0.77). Test–retest reliability was higher for the kinetic than for the kinematic parameters. These coefficients ranged from 0.42 to 0.58 for the time-distance parameters; from 0.55 to 0.88 for the angular displacements and from 0.25 to 0.99 for the kinetic parameters. The SEMs were lower than 3.3° for the angular displacements and lower than 8 Nm (0.15 Nm/kg) and 36 W (0.54 W/Kg) for the joint moments and powers regardless of the speed. Several gait parameters are reliable among subjects with AIS and can be used to assess the evolution of the spinal modifications and the impact of treatment on their lower limb gait pattern.

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Acknowledgments

This research was completed at the pathokinesiology laboratory of Dr. S. Nadeau and received financial support from the Réseau provincial de recherche en adaptation/réadaptation (REPAR) of the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ). C. Fortin was supported by a M.Sc. scholarship from the FRSQ and from the Ordre Professionnel de la Physiothérapie du Québec. S Nadeau has a junior II scientist salary from Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec. The authors acknowledge Alexandra Duranceau and Pierre Desjardins for their assistance in the data collection and analyses and Julie Joncas for the recruitment of subjects with AIS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LAVIANE Laboratory, Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175, Côte-Sainte-Catherine, H3T 1C5, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Carole Fortin

  2. Faculté de médecine, École de Réadaptation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Carole Fortin, Sylvie Nadeau & Hubert Labelle

  3. Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain, Site Institut de réadaptation de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada

    Sylvie Nadeau

  4. Surgery, Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175, Côte-Sainte-Catherine, H3T 1C5, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Hubert Labelle

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  1. Carole Fortin
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  2. Sylvie Nadeau
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  3. Hubert Labelle
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Correspondence to Carole Fortin.

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Fortin, C., Nadeau, S. & Labelle, H. Inter-trial and test–retest reliability of kinematic and kinetic gait parameters among subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Eur Spine J 17, 204–216 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0469-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0469-9

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