Abstract
<p>The psychometric properties of a new observational gait analysis (OGA) tool for people with unilateral lower limb amputation (LLA) named the Functional Lower-limb Amputee Gait Assessment (FLAG Assessment) was developed to promote communication and collaboration between physical therapists (PTs) and certified prosthetists (CPs). It includes eleven gait deviations evaluated during OGA.<br />
Reliability was examined in a group of PT and CP raters who completed the FLAG Assessment for participants with unilateral LLA. The intra-rater reliability of nine gait deviations in the PTs group and seven in the CPs group was found moderate to substantial, suggesting they are stable over time when assessed by the same rater. Two gait deviations in the PTs and four in the CPs group had fair intra-rater reliability. The inter-rater reliability of four gait deviations in the PT group and six in the CP group was moderate to substantial, suggesting multiple PTs can use four gait deviations and multiple CPs can use six gait deviations to evaluate the gait of people with unilateral LLA. Three gait deviations achieved the acceptable level of agreement in both groups of clinicians (K>.41) and can be used across the two professions to evaluate the gait of people with unilateral LLA. Seven gait deviations in the PTs group and five in the CPs group had slight to fair inter-rater reliability.<br />
Criterion validity compared the FLAG Assessment results of four gait deviations with an electronic walkway and inertial measurements units. The criterion validity of prosthetic limb step shorter gait deviation was established for participants.<br />
The construct validity of three gait deviations was examined based on the ABC score and walking speed. Construct validity was established for all three gait deviations, with participants present of a deviation having a lower balance confidence and slower walking speed compared to those absent of the deviation. <br />
The FLAG Assessment has the potential to be used by both PTs and CPs to evaluate gait deviations of people with unilateral LLA and assess changes in these gait deviations over time.</p>