1. The Traffic Light System: A user-friendly alternative for gait data representation.
- Author
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Gatt, Corene, Gatt, Alfred, Formosa, Cynthia, Sillato, Darren, and Gatt, Ruben
- Subjects
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BIOMECHANICS , *GAIT in humans , *TRAFFIC signs & signals , *WALKING , *DATA visualization - Abstract
Instrumented gait analysis is an established procedure in biomechanical assessment, requiring specially-trained analysts to interpret the complex graphical output generated. Does a new method of visual representation of lower limb kinematic gait analysis data provide a reliable and valid method of interpretation of biomechanical data for healthcare professionals? An innovative system based on the Traffic Lights System (TLS) was developed. Simulated abnormal gait was captured using a 16-camera optoelectronic motion capture system, and the results were presented in both the Traditional Graphical System (TGS) format and the new TLS. An online form was filled by health professionals who attempted to interpret normal and abnormal motion in the joints presented in the 2 output formats. Out of 26 raters, 18 preferred the new system because of its user-friendliness and its ease of interpretation. 2 raters preferred the TGS, with one of these raters clarifying that the preference is due to colour blindness. For intra-rater reliability, 2 trained raters provided a second response for the TGS (Cronbach's Alpha ranging between 0.733 and 0.918), whilst the TLS resulted in Cronbach's Alpha between 0.817 and 1.00 amongst 3 untrained raters. The Fleiss Multi-rater Kappa Test demonstrated low inter-rater reliability amongst raters in the TGS, whereas the overall Fleiss Multi-rater Kappa values of the TLS surpassed the TGS in all 3 studies. This study showed that whilst trained health professionals have high intra-rater reliability in interpreting traditional gait analysis results, those professionals inexperienced in the system, do not always comprehend the complex graphs generated by the system when presenting gait analysis data. When these graphs are transformed into coloured outputs representing the extent of the movement, the TLS has demonstrated high validity and high intra- and inter-rater reliability, significantly exceeding those of the TGS, especially in untrained health professionals. • trained health professionals reliably interpret traditional gait analysis results. • inexperienced professionals do not comprehend complex graphs presenting gait analysis data. • TLS has demonstrated high validity and high intra- and inter-rater reliability. • reliability of TLS exceeded those of the TGS in untrained health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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