Update on an Observational, Clinically Useful Gait Coordination Measure: The Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool (G.A.I.T.)

Abstract

With discoveries of brain and spinal cord mechanisms that control gait, and disrupt gait coordination after disease or injury, and that respond to motor training for those with neurological disease or injury, there is greater ability to construct more efficacious gait coordination training paradigms. Therefore, it is critical in these contemporary times, to use the most precise, sensitive, homogeneous (i.e., domain-specific), and comprehensive measures available to assess gait coordination, dyscoordination, and changes in response to treatment. Gait coordination is defined as the simultaneous performance of the spatial and temporal components of gait. While kinematic gait measures are considered the gold standard, the equipment and analysis cost and time preclude their use in most clinics. At the same time, observational gait coordination scales can be considered. Two independent groups identified the Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool (G.A.I.T.) as the most suitable scale for both research and clinical practice, compared to other observational gait scales, since it has been proven to be valid, reliable, sensitive to change, homogeneous, and comprehensive. The G.A.I.T. has shown strong reliability, validity, and sensitive precision for those with stroke or multiple sclerosis (MS). The G.A.I.T. has been translated into four languages (English, Spanish, Taiwanese, and Portuguese (translation is complete, but not yet published)), and is in use in at least 10 countries. As a contribution to the field, and in view of the evidence for continued usefulness and international use for the G.A.I.T. measure, we have provided this update, as well as an open access copy of the measure for use in clinical practice and research, as well as directions for administering the G.A.I.T.

Underlying Mechanisms and Neurorehabilitation of Gait after Stroke

“…In fact, the commentary in this Issue (by Daly [ 7 ]) n association with the Chow and Stokic paper [ 6 ]) utilizes the published data in the Chow paper to illustrate potential errors in conclusions that can occur with the use of a gait speed measure in the absence of measures of gait coordination or balance control. To address this issue for those who do not have access to the technology required for gait coordination measures of gait kinematics or kinetics, a paper in this Issue by Daly et al [ 8 ] offers a report on a measure of gait coordination that can be used in any clinical or research laboratory. This is available in several languages, and is in use internationally [ 8 ].…”

“…To address this issue for those who do not have access to the technology required for gait coordination measures of gait kinematics or kinetics, a paper in this Issue by Daly et al [ 8 ] offers a report on a measure of gait coordination that can be used in any clinical or research laboratory. This is available in several languages, and is in use internationally [ 8 ].…”