Clinical Application of Dynamic Gait Index-Brazilian Brief Version

Abstract

Introduction: In elderly, the progressive degenerations in the nervous system and vestibular system compromise the human body balance leading to a greater risk of falls. The Dynamic Gait Index is a protocol that predicts risks to falls in seniors. Objective: To analyze the results of the application of the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)-Brazilian brief proposal and establish correlation with the original version. Methods: Study approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of Federal University of Sergipe (number 0197.0.107000.09). We analyzed 223 files of socially active elderly, female gender, aged ranged 60 to 85 years, mean 68.54 (±7.61) years since 2014. The volunteers were evaluated by the DGI-Brazil. For the statistical analysis, the Pearson Correlation Momentum Correlation Test with Spearman Correlation was used, with p ≤ 0.05 and r = 1.0. Results: Sixty-three (27.8%) of the volunteers presented an altered DGI scores. The statistical analysis indicated that Task 1 and Task 2 did not contribute to decrease the total score in the test. The worst performances occurred in Tasks 3, 5 and 6. There was founded a positive correlation between Tasks 1 and 2; 1 and 8; 3 and 4; 3 and 5; 4 and 5; 2 and 4; 2 and 7. Negative correlation occurred between Tasks 4 and 8, and 6 was not correlated with another Task. Conclusion: The DGI-Brazilian brief version presented an excellent correlation with the original proposal and may be useful in clinical practice as a tool to evidence future risks of falls in the elderly people.