Reliabilitet av tredimensjonal ganganalyse for personer med traumatiske hjerneskader

Background: There is a lack of published studies investigating reliability of kinematic variables measured with three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) among people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The purpose of this study was to investigate test-retest reliability of kinematic variables in the lower extremities measured with 3DGA in the sagittal plane among patients suffering from TBI. Methods: Ten adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries were tested on two successive days. Each session consisted of five trials. Data was collected by the use of six Vicon MX 13 cameras and two force plates (AMTI OR 6-7). Plug-in-gait model and marker system were applied. The marker placement was marked with waterproof pencil at session 1 in order to minimize tester error. The participants were asked to walk at their self-selected speed. Kinematic variables from pelvis, hip, knee and ankle in the sagittal plane were investigated. Discrete points from the gait cycle, which were considered as clinically relevant, were selected for statistical calculations. Reliability was investigated both within- and between-session. Relative reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Absolute reliability was calculated using Standard deviation within subject (Sw). Results: Within-session reliability was high (ICC≥0.82) for all the variables except from left ankle dorsi flexion at toe off in session 1 where the reliability was moderate (ICC=0.75). Between- session reliability was high (ICC≥0.85) for all the variables except from left ankle dorsi flexion at initial contact and toe off were the reliability was moderate (0.73 and 0.72). Measurement error was low with Sw ≤2.8°. Conclusion: These results indicate an overall high within- and between- session reliability for kinematic parameters in the lower extremities measured with 3DGA in the sagittal plane among people with TBI. The findings of this study suggest that 3DGA may be an appropriate tool for evaluation (decision making) and treatment planning directed towards patients suffering from TBI, as well as for research purposes