Evaluating the Dynamic Gait Index for Walking Assessment in Children Aged 8 to 16 With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

What this Trial Is About

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis JIA is a common chronic rheumatic disease in children that causes pain, joint swelling, and loss of function, which can reduce quality of life and lead to muscle weakness, limited motion, and walking difficulties. Researchers are evaluating the Dynamic Gait Index DGI as a new tool to assess walking ability in children with JIA, since current methods lack a functional walking test for this group. The study aims to determine whether the DGI is a reliable and valid measure for evaluating walking challenges in these children. The study includes two groups children diagnosed with JIA and age-matched healthy volunteers. The DGI test measures walking on level ground, changing speed, head turns, pivot turns, jumping over obstacles, walking around obstacles, and climbing stairs. Each activity is scored to assess walking ability. Additional physical tests include the Timed Up and Go Test, walking speed measurement, Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale for pain assessment, Pediatric Balance Scale, and Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire. These tests will be conducted at the start and again two weeks later. Participants will undergo physical examinations involving several walking and balance tests. Researchers will measure outcomes such as the DGI score, walking speed, timed up and go performance, pain levels, and balance ability. These measurements will help evaluate the walking function and risks related to falls in children with JIA compared to healthy peers. The study will monitor participants over a two-week period after baseline testing to assess the consistency and reliability of the DGI for this purpose.

Dynamic Gait Index as a Functional Gait Assessment Measure in Children With JIA