Correlation of GAITRite Walkway System and Biodex Balance System Measures to the FARS Score in Friedreich\u27s Ataxia Patients: A Validation Study

Objective: To test the validity of the GAITRite Walkway System and Biodex Balance System for measuring parameters of neurological dysfunction in Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) patients against the standard of the Friedreich’s Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS). Background: FA is a neurodegenerative disease causing ataxia and cardiomyopathy. Precise measures are needed to test disease progression in FA in clinical trials. The GAITRite Walkway System and the Biodex Balance System are quantitative measures that evaluate gait and balance dysfunction using computerized technology. Design/Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal study, ambulatory FA patients were examined at baseline, and at 6, 12, and 24 months using the GAITRite and Biodex Systems and the FARS. Healthy, matched controls were tested at baseline and 12 months. All analyses were carried out using SAS 9.4. Results:Eight FA patients and 8 controls were included in this analysis. The following GAITRite parameters correlated significantly with the total FARS score in FA patients; comfortable walking velocity (r=-0.536; p Conclusions: In this study, multiple GAITRite and Biodex measures correlated significantly with the FARS scores, suggesting a high degree of clinical significance and providing evidence for validation of these measures in FA patients