Does a Dynamic Gait Index score of 19 or lower relate to a history of falls in individuals with vestibular disorders?
The Dynamic Gait Index is a useful indicator of fall status in individuals with vestibular disorders, with scores of 19 or lower associated with a significantly higher likelihood of recent falls.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between gait instability and falls history in people with vestibular disorders. A total of 247 people (164 women, 83 men) participated in the study (mean age = 62.5). Falls history within the last 6 months and scores on the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) were compared using the Mantel-Hantzel Chi-square statistic. Thirty-seven percent of all subjects reported falling within the last 6 months. Odds ratios in favor of falls with DGI scores of 19 or lower was 2.58 (95% C.I. 1.47-4.53). Subjects with DGI scores of 19/24 or less were 2.58 times more likely to have reported a fall in the previous 6 months than subjects with scores above 19. Younger subjects (those under 65 years of age) with vestibular disorders reported more falls than persons 65 years of age or over. Younger people may be more willing to risk a fall while actively having a vestibular disorder. The DGI appears to be a good indicator of fall status in persons with vestibular disorders, regardless of age.
Whitney et al. (2000) studied this question.