Reliability of visual classification of sagittal gait patterns in patients with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

To investigate the reliability of inspection-based classification of sagittal gait patterns in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Video clip recordings of gait patterns and sagittal kinematic data obtained by a computerized motion analysis system from 91 patients with bilateral spastic CP were reviewed. The abnormal gait patterns were classified into 4 groups using the method described by Rodda et al. Visual observation-based classification (visual classification) was compared with classification by 3D analysis-based methods (3D classification). The reliabilities of visual classifications made by an experienced physician and a trainee physician were analyzed. The consistency of inspection-based gait classification using kinematic data analysis was demonstrated by an experienced physician (Kappa coefficient (k)=0.67, p