A functional gait assessment (FGA) is a way to measure an individual’s postural stability and ability to perform other physical tasks while walking, and it can also be used as a marker to determine the progress of a disease in someone. For some conditions, this can be beneficial to see whether someone requires different treatments, additional physical therapy or mobility aids.
When is the functional gait assessment most useful?
The functional gait assessment offers a simple scale to help keep track of changes as needed. Conditions where the FGA is helpful include Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, stroke recovery, vestibular disorders, movement disorders and older adults who are less mobile.
When these conditions are monitored closely, it makes it easier to correct or change treatment faster, which can reduce the progression of the disease or injury.
How does the functional gait assessment work?
There are 10 different parts of the test, and each part is scored on a scale of 0-3 for a total possible score of 30, and the rating scale is as follows:
- 0 = severe impairment
- 1 = moderate impairment
- 2 = mild impairment
- 3 = normal ambulation
For this assessment, only a few items are needed to form the 10 different parts of the test. They include a marked-off 20-foot flat walkway, a stopwatch, an obstacle such as two shoeboxes that can be stacked to a total height of 9 inches, and a set of steps with railings.
What are the 10 parts of the functional gait assessment?
- Walk at a normal speed for 20 feet.
- Walk at a normal speed for 5 feet, then as fast as possible for 5 feet, then as slow as possible for 5 feet.
- Walk at a normal speed for 20 feet, but after three steps, turn head to the right and keep walking. After another three steps, turn head to the left, and keep alternating for two repetitions in each direction.
- Walk at a normal speed for 20 feet, but after three steps, tip head up and keep walking. After another three steps, tip head down, and keep alternating for two repetitions in each direction.
- Begin walking at a normal speed until directed to “turn and stop”; then turn as fast as you can in the opposite direction and stop moving.
- Begin walking at a normal speed, and when you reach the 9-inch-tall obstacle, step over it and continue walking.
- Begin walking at a normal speed with arms folded across the chest while aligning your feet heel to toe with each step for a total of 10 steps.
- Walk at a normal speed for 20 feet with eyes closed.
- Walk backward at a normal speed for 20 feet.
- Walk at a normal speed up a set of stairs; then at the top, turn around and come back down.
These 10 tasks can help establish the person’s mobility and stability in everyday situations and provide a baseline to make it easier to identify if that mobility level changes.
At REPAIR SI, we want to help you maintain your mobility through life’s challenges. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.