Abstract
Background The modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI), developed from a person-environment model of mobility disability, measures mobility function relative to specific environmental demands. The framework for interpreting mDGI scores relative to specific environmental dimensions has not been investigated.
Objective The aim of this study was to examine the person-environmental model underlying the development and interpretation of mDGI scores.
Design This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study.
Methods There were 794 participants in the study, including 140 controls. Out of the total study population, 239 had sustained a stroke, 140 had vestibular dysfunction, 100 had sustained a traumatic brain injury, 91 had gait abnormality, and 84 had Parkinson disease. Exploratory factor analysis was used to investigate whether mDGI scores supported the 4 environmental dimensions.
Results Factor analysis showed that, with some exceptions, tasks loaded on 4 underlying factors, partially supporting the underlying environmental model.
Limitations Limitations of this study included the uneven sample sizes in the 6 groups.
Conclusions Support for the environmental framework underlying the mDGI extends its usefulness as a clinical measure of functional mobility by providing a rationale for interpretation of scores that can be used to direct treatment and infer change in mobility function.
Footnotes
All authors provided concept/idea/research design and writing. Dr Shumway-Cook and Dr Matsuda provided data collection. Dr Shumway-Cook and Dr Taylor provided data analysis. Dr Shumway-Cook provided project management, participants, and facilities/equipment.
The University of Washington Human Subjects Division approved all procedures.
This study was supported by a grant from the Walter C. and Anita Stolov Research Fund, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington.
- Received February 14, 2014.
- Accepted November 26, 2014.
- © 2015 American Physical Therapy Association
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