Holden M, et al (1986). Gait assessment for neurologically impaired patients: Standards for outcome assessment. Physical Therapy, 66, 1530-1539.
| TERMS |
DESCRIPTION |
| Definitions |
|
| Ambulate |
Able to walk 10 feet or more outside parallel bars. Supervision or physical assistance from no more than one person is allowed. Any type of mechanical assistive device or ambulation aid (except parallel bars) may be used. |
| Level surface |
Tile, rugs, pavement |
| Nonlevel surface |
Grass, gravel ,dirt, snow, ice. |
| Stairs |
Up and down at least 7 stairs with rail. |
| Incline |
Up and down 1.5m incline of 30 degrees or greater. |
| Supervision |
The patient can ambulate without manual contact from another person but, for safety, requires standby guarding of no more than one person because of poor judgement, questionable cardiac status, or the need for verbal cuing to complete the task. |
| Physical Assistance - level 1 |
Patient requires manual contact from no more than one person during ambulation, consisting of continuous or intermittent light touch to assist balance or coordination. |
| Physical Assistance - level 2 |
Patient requires manual contact of no more than one person during ambulation. Contact is continuous and necessary to support body weight as well as to maintain balance or assist coordination. |
| Independent |
Patient is able to ambulate without supervision or physical assistance from another person. Assistive devices, orthoses, and prostheses are allowed. |
| Categories |
|
| 1. Nonfunctional Ambulator |
Patient cannot ambulate, ambulates in parallel bars only, or requires supervision or assistance from more than one person to ambulate safely outside parallel bars. |
| 2. Ambulator - Dependent for Physical Assistance (level 2) |
Patient requires manual contact of no more than one person during ambulation on level surfaces to prevent falling. Contact is continuous and necessary to support body weight as well as to maintain balance or assist coordination. |
| 3. Ambulator - Dependent for Physical Assistance (level 1) |
Patient requires manual contact of no more than one person during ambulation on level surfaces to prevent falling, consisting of continuous or intermittent light touch to assist balance or coordination. |
| 4. Ambulator - Dependent for Supervision |
Patient can ambulate without manual contact from another person but, for safety, requires standby guarding of no more than one person because of poor judgement, questionable cardiac status, or the need for verbal cuing to complete the task. |
| 5. Ambulator - Independent, Level surfaces only |
Patient can ambulate independently on level surfaces, but requires supervision or physical assistance to negotiate any of the following: stairs, inclines, or non-level surfaces. |
| 6. Ambulator - Independent |
Patient can ambulate independently on nonlevel and level surfaces, stairs and inclines. |