RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Investigating the Validity of the Environmental Framework Underlying the Original and Modified Dynamic Gait Index
JF Physical Therapy
JO Phys Ther
FD American Physical Therapy Association
SP 864
OP 870
DO 10.2522/ptj.20140047
VO 95
IS 6
A1 Shumway-Cook, Anne
A1 Matsuda, Patricia Noritake
A1 Taylor, Catherine
YR 2015
UL http://jcore-reference.highwire.org/content/95/6/864.abstract
AB 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.