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
Task | Description | Scoring Criteria | Points |
---|---|---|---|
1. Gait level surface | Walk 20 feet | 3: Normal gait, no assistive devices 2: Mild impairment 1: Moderate impairment 0: Severe impairment | 0-3 |
2. Change in gait speed | Walk 20 feet, change speed on command | 3: Smooth speed changes 2: Mild impairment 1: Moderate impairment 0: Cannot change speeds | 0-3 |
3. Gait with horizontal head turns | Walk 20 feet while turning head side to side | 3: Smooth head turns 2: Mild impairment 1: Moderate impairment 0: Severe impairment | 0-3 |
4. Gait with vertical head turns | Walk 20 feet while nodding head up and down | 3: Smooth head movements 2: Mild impairment 1: Moderate impairment 0: Severe impairment | 0-3 |
5. Gait and pivot turn | Walk 20 feet, then pivot turn quickly | 3: Pivot turns safely 2: Mild impairment 1: Moderate impairment 0: Cannot pivot safely | 0-3 |
6. Step over obstacle | Walk and step over a shoebox | 3: 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 obstacles | Walk around cones placed 6 feet apart | 3: Circumvents cones safely 2: Mild impairment 1: Moderate impairment 0: Cannot perform | 0-3 |
8. Steps | Walk up steps with or without rails | 3: Alternates feet, no rail 2: Alternates feet, uses rail 1: Two feet to a step, uses rail 0: Cannot perform | 0-3 |
Total Score | 0-24 |
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:
- Gait level surface: 3
- Change in gait speed: 2
- Gait with horizontal head turns: 2
- Gait with vertical head turns: 2
- Gait and pivot turn: 1
- Step over obstacle: 2
- Step around obstacles: 2
- 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.