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Dynamic Gait Index as a Functional Gait Assessment Measure in Children With JIA
Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
Summary
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the most common chronic rheumatic diseases seen in childhood. Pain, joint swelling and loss of function caused by inflammation significantly reduce the patients' quality of life and lead to muscle weakness, limited range of motion and gait disorders. Although there are various clinical assessment methods, there is no functional test in the current literature that evaluates walking in children with JIA. The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a functional walking scale that evaluates walking on level ground, walking while changing speed, walking with sideways head turns, walking with vertical head turns, walking with pivot turns, walking by jumping over obstacles, going around obstacles and climbing stairs. While the DGA is widely used in the clinical assessment of walking in older adults and other pediatric patient groups, it has not yet been investigated for the assessment of walking difficulties in children with JIA. This study aimed to determine whether the DYI is a usable tool for assessing walking in children with JIA.
Official title: Investigation of Validity and Reliability of Dynamic Walking Index in Childhood Rheumatic Diseases
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
8 Years - 16 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
52
Start Date
2025-02-01
Completion Date
2026-06
Last Updated
2025-11-28
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Physical examination
The physical examination will included Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Walking speed, Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale, Pediatric balance scale and CHAQ (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire).
Dynamic Gait Index
The DGI, whose validity and reliability will be investigated, consists of 8 items: walking on level ground, walking with changing speed, walking with sideways head turns, walking with vertical head turns, walking with pivot turns, walking over obstacles, going around obstacles, and climbing stairs. Performance on each item is rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (severe impairment) to 3 (normal walking ability without a walking aid). The total score is 24. Scores below 19 indicate a risk of falling, while scores above 22 define safe ambulation.
Locations (1)
Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa
Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey (Türkiye)