Comparison of spatio-temporal gait parameters between the GAITRite® platinum plus classic and the GAITRite® CIRFACE among older adults: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND: The GAITRite® system is one of the gold standards for gait electronic analysis, especially for older adults. Previous GAITRite® systems were composed of an electronic roll-up walkway. Recently, a new GAITRite® electronic walkway, named CIRFACE, was commercialized. It is composed of a changeable association of stiff plates, unlike previous models. Are the gait parameters measured similar between these two walkways among older adults and according to the cognitive status, the history of falls, and the use of walking aids? METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, 95 older ambulatory participants (mean, 82.6 ± 5.8 years) were included. Ten spatio-temporal gait parameters were measured simultaneously with the two GAITRite® systems in older adults while walking at comfortable self-selected pace. The GAITRite® Platinum Plus Classic (26’) was superimposed on the GAITRite® CIRFACE (VI). Comparisons between the parameters of the two walkways were performed using Bravais-Pearson correlation, between-method differences (corresponding to bias), percentage errors and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC(2,1)). Subgroup analyses were performed according to the cognitive status, the history of falls in the last 12 months and the use of walking aids. RESULTS: The whole walk parameters recorded by the two walkways were extremely correlated with a Bravais-Pearson correlation coefficient ranging from 0.968 to 0.999, P < .001, indicating a very high correlation. According to the ICC(2,1) calculated for absolute agreement, all gait parameters had excellent reliability (ranging from 0.938 to 0.999). Mean bias for 9 parameters out of 10 were ranged from − 0.27 to 0.54, with clinically acceptable percentage errors (1.2–10.1%). Step length showed a substantially higher bias (1.4 ± 1.2 cm), nevertheless the percentage errors remained clinically acceptable (5%). CONCLUSION: When walking at comfortable self-selected pace, the standard spatio-temporal walk parameters provided by both the GAITRite® PPC and the GAITRite® CIRFACE seem similar and very highly correlated in older adults with various cognitive or motor status. The data of studies using these systems can be compared and mixed with a very low risk of bias in a meta-analytic process. Also, the geriatric care units can choose the most ergonomic system according to their infrastructure without affecting their gait data. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04557592 (21/09/2020). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-023-03811-7.