Development of a New Instrument to Evaluate Gait Characteristics of Individuals With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Development of a New Instrument to Evaluate Gait Characteristics of Individuals With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Gait Assessment Scale for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Its Validity and Reliability

The aim of this study was to develop a gait assessment instrument for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients (DMD-GAS), and investigate its validity and reliability.The scale was developed considering the expert opinions which included 10 physiotherapists who had experience in the management of patients with DMD over the 2-round Delphi method, and the Content Validity Index (CVI) was calculated. The final version of the DMD-GAS that was agreed upon the experts consisted of 10 items, and each item scored between 0 and 2. The intra-rater reliability was established by the video analysis of children with a 1-month interval and inter-rater reliability was determined by the scores of 3 physiotherapists. The criterion validity was determined by investigating the relationship between the total score of the DMD-GAS and Motor Function Measure (MFM), 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and the data obtained from GAITRite system.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Being diagnosed with DMD
2. Be between Levels I-V according to Brooke Lower Limb Extremity Functional Classification
3. Being between the ages of 5-18
4. Agreeing to participate in the research voluntarily

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Insufficient cooperation with the physiotherapist,
2. Have had any injury and/or surgery of the lower extremities in the last 6 months,
3. Having neurological problems in addition to DMD. -