Gait variables: appropriate objective outcome measures in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To assess the reliability and responsiveness of gait speed, cadence and stride length at two self-selected speeds (SSS) in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Thirty-one subjects with RA were assessed on three occasions. At each assessment session, subjects were asked to self-report walk pain on visual analogue scales, rate physical function using the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and walk five times at both a normal SSS and a fast SSS along an 8 m electric footswitch walkway. Results. Despite stability of pain and physical function, there were significant gait changes from the first to the second assessment session at the normal SSS, although this 'learning' effect was not evident at either SSS between the second and the third assessment session. Conclusion. If the recommended protocol is followed, quantitative gait variables can provide reliable and responsive outcome measures in this population for use in evaluating therapeutic interventions.