Assessing gait variability concurrently with dynamic visual acuity on a treadmill in people with bilateral vestibulopathy.

Abstract

Background: Gait variability is increased in people with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP). Since dedicated gait analysis can be resource-intensive, concurrent assessment with another vestibular function test, dynamic visual acuity (DVA), is worth consideration.

Objective: To assess comparability of results from a combined gait and DVA assessment with results from a previous dedicated gait analysis.

Methods: 15 participants (4 women) with BVP were analysed. The DVA test assessed visual acuity during stance and during treadmill walking at 2, 4 and 6 km/h. An 8-camera motion capture system measured spatiotemporal gait parameters (step length, step time, step width and double support time; means and coefficients of variation [CoV]). The walking speed effect was assessed by mixed-effects models, and results were visually compared to previous results.

Results: Walking speed affected the means of step length, step time and double support time (p < .0001) but not step width (p = .373) and significantly affected the CoV of all parameters (p < .01). These values, as well as speed-related changes, were comparable between contexts.

Conclusions: Concurrent DVA and gait assessment seems promising as an assessment method in people with BVP. Test-retest reliability, clinically feasible motion capture solutions and sensitivity to change following interventions should be further investigated.