Validity of the Persian Version of Dynamic Gait Index (DGI-P) in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Assessment of walking ability and fall risk in people with multiple sclerosis is often performed in rehabilitation. DGI is one of the tools that evaluate walking during various tasks. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of the Persian version of DGI in people with multiple sclerosis.
The current study was performed using methodology method, and 62 patients were selected based on non-probable sampling. To check criterion validity, the correlation between the Berg Balance Scale scores and dynamic gait index scores were calculated and construct validity was evaluated using factor analysis. Also, content validity was assessed by 10 rehabilitation specialists with experience in the field of research and clinical work and in quantitative way.
The results showed that the Persian version of dynamic gait index in people with MS has an acceptable criterion validity with the Berg Balance Scale (r=0/859). Content validity ratios for each item were between 0/80 and 1/00 and content validity index were 0/91, which were in the acceptable range. According to factor analysis, the test is composed of one factor with the eigenvalue of 4.4, which predicted 55% of the variance.
The Persian version of dynamic gait index is a valid measure to assess the dynamic balance while walking in patients with multiple sclerosis.