Abstract

Introduction: Gait pattern is altered in persons with lower extremity amputation. To assess gait pattern, it is important to use observational gait scales with a good content validity.

Objectives: To design an observational gait scale and to analyze its content validity.

Material and methods: An expert committee was formed to obtain a version of the scale. The same committee was responsible for evaluating the scale. The content validity index (CVI) was calculated, both for each item and for the global scale.

Results: The main kinematic and spatiotemporal alterations were selected to design the items. The scale consists of 2sections and 25 items, with a maximum score of 35 points. An overall CVI score of 0.90 was obtained, and an index of validity for most items with values higher than 0.78.

Conclusion: The Observational gait scale for persons with amputation of the lower extremity showed excellent content validity according to the CVI obtained. Future studies should evaluate its reliability and construct validity.

Keywords: Amputados; Desórdenes de la marcha; Escala observacional de la marcha; Gait; Gait disorders; Lower limb amputees; Marcha; Observational gait scales.