Norihide Itoh, RPT, DMSc, Hitoshi Kagaya, MD, DMSc, Eiichi Saitoh, MD, DMSc, Kei Ohtsuka,
RPT, DMSc, Junya Yamada, RPT, Hiroki Tanikawa, RPT, MS, Shigeo Tanabe, RPT, PhD,
Naoki Itoh, RPT, DMSc, Takemitsu Aoki, MS, Yoshikiyo Kanada, RPT, DMSc
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 3: 78-84, 2012
Objective: To quantitatively assess gait abnormalities
using Lissajous figures obtained from three-dimensional
motion analysis of treadmill gait, with the
goal of applying the findings to the treatment of gait
disorders.
Methods: Thirty-nine healthy subjects and 30
hemiplegic patients were studied. Treadmill gait
analysis was conducted using a three-dimensional
motion analysis system. Using the Lissajous figures
obtained from the gait analysis, quantitative indexes
were developed for three gait abnormalities:
circumduction, hip hiking, and forefoot contact. The
indexes were validated through comparison with
observational assessment by physiotherapists with
expertise in gait analysis.
Results: The values obtained for all the indexes were
significantly higher in hemiplegic patients compared
to healthy subjects (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis
was conducted between the index values and
observational scores for each gait abnormality, yielding
Spearmanfs rank correlation coeffi cients of -0.82 for
circumduction, -0.64 for hip hiking, and -0.84 for
forefoot contact (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: We successfully developed objective
quantitative indexes for gait abnormalities, which
were not influenced by rater bias.
Key words: treadmill, gait analysis, abnormal gait, Lissajous figures