Assessment of gait deviation on the Babinski-Weill test in healthy Brazilians

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate a simple and reproducible method for assessing gait deviation on the Babinski-Weill test in a representative sample of healthy Brazilians. Methods: Gait deviations were measured in 75 individuals (median=30 years, 41 women) for forward, backwards, and Babinski-Weill steps. The test entailed blindfolded individuals walking 10 paces at a frequency of 1 Hz with deviations subsequently measured by a protractor. Results: Mean gait deviation forward was 0.53 degrees with standard deviation (SD)=4.22 and backwards was 2.14 degrees with SD=4.29. No significant difference in deviation was detected between genders (t test p=0.40 forward and p=0.77 backwards) or for age (ANOVA, p=0.33 forward and p=0.63 backwards). On the Babinski-Weill test, mean gait deviation was 5.26 degrees;SD=16.32 in women and -3.11 degrees; SD=12.41 in men, with no significant difference between genders (t test, p=0.056). Discussion: Defining normative gait patterns helps distinguish pathological states.