The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a clinical tool used to assess gait, balance, and fall risk. It evaluates walking ability during both normal and more challenging tasks. The DGI consists of 8 functional walking tests that are scored on a scale of 0-3, with a total possible score of 24. Scores of 19 or lower are predictive of falls in the elderly, while scores over 22 indicate safe mobility. The DGI has shown high reliability and validity in evaluating dynamic balance in people with chronic stroke.

2.  It was Developed as a clinical tool to assess GAIT,BALANCE, and FALL RISK
 It Evaluates not only usual steady state walking,But also walking during more
challenging tasks.
 8 Functional walking test are performed by the subject and marked out of three
according to the lowest category with applies.
 24 is the total individual score,score of 19 or <19 has been related to risk of fall.
 Total Score ____/24
 SCORING
 A 4 point Ordinal scale ranging from 0-3
 0 indicates lowest level of function
 3 indicates highest level of function
INTERPRETATION
<19/24 Predective of fallls in the elderly
>22/24 Safe ambulatory

3.  Reliability
 DGI shown high reliability and validity Universally with other balance and mobility
scale for evaluating dynamic balance in ambulatory people with chronic stroke
 SCALES
1. GAIT AT LEVEL SURFACE
2. CHANGE IN GAIT SPEED.
3. GAIT WITH HORIZONTAL HEAD TURN
4. GAIT WITH VERTICAL HEAD TURN
5. GAIT AND PIVOT TURN
6. STEP OVER OBSTACLE
7. STEP AROUND OBSTACLE
8. STEPS
3-Normal
2-Mild Impairment
1-Moderate
impairment
0-Severe Impairment

4.  INSTRUCTIONS
walk at your normal speed from starting to the next mark. (20’)
 GRADING - Mark the lowest category that applies
3-walks 20` with no assistive Devices ,good speed ,No evidence for imbalance normal
gait pattern
2-walks 20’ uses assistive device ,slower speed mild gait deviation
1- walks 20’ slow speed abnormal gait pattern evidence for imbalance
0- Cannot walks 20’ without Assistance ,severe gait deviation or Imbalance

5. INSTRUCTIONS
Begin walking at your normal pace. when I tell u to GO walks as fast as u can 5’.
When I tell u SLOW walks as slow as u can 5’
GRADING
3-Able to smoothly change walking speed without loss of balance or gait deviation.
shown significant difference in walking speed between normal ,fast and slow
2-Is able to change speed but demonstrate mild gait deviations or uses an assistive
devices
1-makes only minor adjustment in speed Or accomplish a change in speed with
significant gait deviation. or changes speed but loses balance and continue walking
0-Cannot change speed or loses balance and has to reach for a wall for support

6.  INSTRUCTIONS
Begin walking at your normal pace. When I tell you to LOOK RIGHT keep walking
straight but turn your head to right ,keep looking to right untill i tell u to LOOK LEFT then
keep walking straight but turn your head to left Keep walking untill I tell u to look
straight.
3-perform head turn smoothly without change in gait
2-preform head turn smoothly but slight change in gait velocity
1-perform head turn with moderate change in gait velocity slows down staggers but
recovers can continue to walk.
0-Perform task with severe disruption of gait i.e staggers outside the path loses balance
,stops ,reaches for wall.

7.  INSTRUCTIONS
Begin walking with normal speed when I tell u to look up keep walking straight and
look up untill I tell you to look down ,keep walking straight and look down when I
tell u to look down .Keep walking straight untill I tell u to see straight
GRADING
Same as Above

8.  Instructions.
Begin walking at your normal pace when I tell TURN AND STOP turn as quickly as you
can face opposite direction and stop.
Instructions
Grading
3- Pivot turns safely within 3 seconds and stops quickly with no loss of balance
2- pivot turns safely in >3 Seconds and stops with no loss of balance
1- Turns slowly, requires verbal cueing ,requires small several attempts catch balance .
0- Cannot turn safely requires assistance to turn and stop.

9.  INSTRUCTIONS
Begin walking at your normal pace when came to shoe box ,Step over it ,not around it
and keep walking.
 Grading
3- Is able to step over the box without changing gait speed no evidence of imbalance
2- Is able to step over box but slows down ,adjust step to clear box safely
1- Is able to step over box but STOPS. Then Step Over (MAY REQUIRE VERBAL
CUES)
0- Cannot Perform Without Assistance

10.  INSTRUCTIONS
Begin walking at normal pace. when you come to 1st cone (about 6cm) ,walk around
RIGHT side of it. When u come to 2nd (6cm past of 1st cone) walk around it to LEFT.
Grading
3- able to walk around cones safely without change in gait speed ,no evidence of
imbalance.
2- able to step around around both cones but slows down speed to clear cones.
1- able to step around around both cones but slows down speed and require VERBAL
CUEING
0- Cannot perform without Assistance

11.  INSTRUCTIONS
Walk up stairs as you would at home i.e using the railing if necessary. At the top turn
around and walk down.
Grading
3- Alternating Feet ,No rail
2- Alternating feet ,Use rail
1- Two feet to stair ,USE rail
0- Cannot do Safely