Role of the Functional Gait Assessment in Validating Item Difficulty Hierarchy and Fall Risk for Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Falls along with gait-balance disturbances are important symptoms of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).

Objectives

This study aimed to validate the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) item-difficulty hierarchy, determine its optimal fall cutoff value, and identify key items for assessing fall risk in iNPH.

Methods

One hundred eighty-eight iNPH patients underwent pre-intervention assessments using the FGA, timed up-and-go (TUG), 10-Meter Gait Speed (10MGS) tests, and their falls history in the past 6 months. Rasch analysis confirmed the validity of the FGA item-difficulty hierarchy and established the relationship between total scores and logit estimates. Logistic regression identified the optimal FGA cutoff value and key fall-related items.

Re

SUBMITTER: Nikaido Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12481452 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature