Assessing gait variability concurrently with dynamic visual acuity on a treadmill in people with bilateral vestibulopathy

BACKGROUND: Gait variability is increased in people with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP). Since dedicated gait analysis can be resource intensive, concurrent assessment with another vestibular function test, dynamic visual acuity (DVA), is worth consideration. OBJECTIVE: To assess comparability of results from a combined gait and DVA assessment with results from a previous dedicated gait analysis. METHODS: 15 participants (4 women) with BVP were analysed. The DVA test assessed visual acuity during stance and during treadmill walking at 2, 4, and 6 km/h. An 8-camera motion capture system measured spatiotemporal gait parameters (step length, step time, step width and double support time; means and coefficients of variation (CoV)). The walking speed effect was assessed by mixed effects models and results were visually compared to previous results. RESULTS: Walking speed affected the means of step length, step time and double support time (P<0.0001) but not step width (P=0.373) and significantly affected the CoV of all parameters (P<0.01). These values, as well as speed-related changes, were comparable between contexts. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent DVA and gait assessment seems promising as an assessment method in people with BVP. Test-retest reliability, clinically feasible motion capture solutions and sensitivity to change following interventions should be further investigated.