Dynamic Gait Index Calculator

Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) Calculator

The dynamic gait index (DGI) calculator evaluates eight different aspects of gait, including walking on level surfaces, changing speeds, navigating obstacles, and turning.

Each task is scored on a scale from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating better performance. The total score ranges from 0 to 24, providing a comprehensive overview of an individual's dynamic balance and mobility.

Dynamic Gait Index Calculation Chart

TaskDescriptionScoring CriteriaPoints
1. Gait level surfaceWalk 20 feet3: Normal gait, no assistive devices
2: Mild impairment
1: Moderate impairment
0: Severe impairment
0-3
2. Change in gait speedWalk 20 feet, change speed on command3: Smooth speed changes
2: Mild impairment
1: Moderate impairment
0: Cannot change speeds
0-3
3. Gait with horizontal head turnsWalk 20 feet while turning head side to side3: Smooth head turns
2: Mild impairment
1: Moderate impairment
0: Severe impairment
0-3
4. Gait with vertical head turnsWalk 20 feet while nodding head up and down3: Smooth head movements
2: Mild impairment
1: Moderate impairment
0: Severe impairment
0-3
5. Gait and pivot turnWalk 20 feet, then pivot turn quickly3: Pivot turns safely
2: Mild impairment
1: Moderate impairment
0: Cannot pivot safely
0-3
6. Step over obstacleWalk and step over a shoebox3: Steps over box without changing gait
2: Steps over box, but slows down
1: Steps over box with supervision
0: Cannot perform
0-3
7. Step around obstaclesWalk around cones placed 6 feet apart3: Circumvents cones safely
2: Mild impairment
1: Moderate impairment
0: Cannot perform
0-3
8. StepsWalk up steps with or without rails3: Alternates feet, no rail
2: Alternates feet, uses rail
1: Two feet to a step, uses rail
0: Cannot perform
0-3
Total Score0-24

Dynamic Gait Index Formula

The Dynamic Gait Index formula is:

DGI Score = Sum of individual task scores

Each of the eight tasks is scored from 0 to 3, and these scores are simply added together to get the total DGI score. The maximum possible score is 24, indicating excellent dynamic balance and gait adaptability.

Consider a patient who scores as follows:

  1. Gait level surface: 3
  2. Change in gait speed: 2
  3. Gait with horizontal head turns: 2
  4. Gait with vertical head turns: 2
  5. Gait and pivot turn: 1
  6. Step over obstacle: 2
  7. Step around obstacles: 2
  8. Steps: 1

To calculate the DGI score, we add these numbers:

3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 15

This patient’s DGI score is 15 out of 24. This score suggests moderate gait and balance ability, with room for improvement in pivot turns and stair navigation.

Who created the dynamic gait index?

The Dynamic Gait Index was developed by Anne Shumway-Cook and her colleagues in 1993. Shumway-Cook is a renowned physical therapist and researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of balance and mobility assessment, particularly in older adults and individuals with neurological disorders.

The creation of the DGI was motivated by the need for a more comprehensive assessment tool that could evaluate a person’s ability to modify gait in response to changing task demands. Prior to the DGI, most gait assessments focused solely on steady-state walking, which didn’t capture the complex balance challenges people face in daily life.

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