use of functional ambulation performance score as measurement of gait ability: review

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Gouelle A. Use of Functional Ambulation Performance Score as measurement of gait ability: Review. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(5):665–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2013.09.0198

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2013.09.0198JSP

Use of Functional Ambulation Performance Score as measurement of

gait ability: Review

Arnaud Gouelle, PhD



• Aim– Review use of Functional Ambulation Performance

Score (FAPS) to evaluate gait. – Address issues important for optimal unbiased

understanding and analysis of FAPS.

• Relevance– Gait analysis systems assess gait disabilities and

provide more accurate and detailed information than clinical tests.



Method

• Searched literature in: – Science Direct. – PubMed.

• Included all studies in which FAPS was used, regardless of article type. – Identified further articles by searching references of

studies found.



Results• Studies showed that FAPS can distinguish between

patients and nondisabled subjects, with lower scores indicating poorer gait.

• FAPS results have been correlated with different tests and clinical scales.

• To use FAPS, clinicians must consider:– Devices and gait aids. – How trials are recorded. – Weight given to variables such as velocity, step time, and

step length.



Conclusion• Primary aim of FAPS is clinically indisputable.– It objectively evaluates changes in gait related to

pathology.– It considers more factors than simply gait velocity.

• Several studies showed FAPS’s validity and clinical usefulness.– However, must be aware of some FAPS characteristics to

carry out informed analysis of results.– In particular, calculation method limits its use, especially

for higher gait velocities.

use of functional ambulation performance score as measurement of gait ability: review

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