Performance-Oriented Assessment of Mobility

Initiation of gait (immediately after being told to go)

Any hesitancy or multiple attempts to start

0

Parkinson disease

Isolated gait initiation failure (stroke or dementia)

Frontal gait disorder

No hesitancy

1

Right step length and height (right swing foot)

Does not pass left stance foot with step or does not clear floor completely with step

0

Arthritis

Foot problem

Stroke

Passes left stance foot

1

Completely clears floor

1

Left step length and height (left swing foot)

Does not pass right stance foot with step or does not clear floor completely with step

0

Arthritis

Foot problem

Stroke

Passes right stance foot

1

Completely clears floor

1

Step symmetry

Right and left step length not equal (estimated)

0

Unilateral

Musculoskeletal or focal neurologic deficit

Right and left step length equal (estimated)

1

Step continuity

Stopping or discontinuity between steps

0

Frontal gait disorder

Fear of falling, frequent in dementia

Steps appear continuous

1

Path (estimated in relation to floor tiles that are 12 inches [30 cm] wide; observed excursion of one foot over about 10 feet [3 meters] of the course)

Marked deviation

0

Frontal gait disorder

Mild to moderate deviation or use of a walking aid

1

Straight without a walking aid

2

Trunk

Marked sway or use of a walking aid

0

Cerebellar, subcortical, and basal ganglia dysfunction

Antalgic gait (hip or knee arthritis)

No sway but flexion of knees, back pain, or arms spread out while walking

1

Fear of falling

No sway, no flexion, no use of arms, and no use of a walking aid

2

Stride width (step width)

Heels wide apart while walking

0

Osteoarthritis (hip, knee, or ankle)

Cerebellar disease

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus

Heels almost touching while walking

1