Gait Abnormality Rating Scale

Gait Abnormality Rating Scale (GARS) is a clinical assessment tool used to evaluate and quantify gait abnormalities in individuals. It is often used in neurological disorders and rehabilitation medicine to monitor progress and assess the effectiveness of interventions.

Overview

The Gait Abnormality Rating Scale was developed to provide a comprehensive and objective measure of gait abnormalities. It is a quantitative assessment tool that rates the severity of gait abnormalities on a scale from 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no abnormality and 3 indicating severe abnormality. The scale assesses 16 different aspects of gait, including stride length, step width, foot angle, and knee flexion.

Use in Clinical Practice

In clinical practice, the Gait Abnormality Rating Scale is used to assess patients with a variety of conditions that can affect gait, such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. It can also be used to monitor changes in gait over time, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and guide treatment decisions.

Scoring

The Gait Abnormality Rating Scale is scored by observing the patient's gait during a short walk. Each of the 16 items is scored on a scale from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating more severe abnormalities. The scores for each item are then summed to give a total score, which can range from 0 to 48.

Limitations

While the Gait Abnormality Rating Scale is a useful tool for assessing gait abnormalities, it does have some limitations. It requires a trained observer to administer, and the scoring can be subjective. In addition, it may not capture all aspects of gait abnormalities, particularly in patients with complex or atypical gait patterns.

See Also

• Gait analysis
• Neurological examination
• Physical therapy