*The DGI includes 8 specific gait tasks: gait level surface, change in gait speed, gait with horizontal head turns, gait with vertical head turns, gait and pivot turn, step-over obstacles, step-around obstacles, and stairs. These tasks are relevant to both community- and home-based ambulations. Performance levels were categorized into 3 grades using a 4-point scale (normal, 3 points; minor impairment, 2 points; moderate impairment, 1 point; and severe impairment, 0 points) as an assessment tool. The DGI has shown a reliability and validity of 0.96 in research involving older individuals.
A study from Korea has demonstrated that foot intrinsic muscle dynamic stretching training improved dynamic balance, velocity, step lengths, stride length, and dynamic gait index (DGI) in patients with chronic stroke.
The study objective was to compare the effects of a 4-week program of foot intrinsic muscle dynamic stretching with those of lunge exercise on static balance, dynamic balance, gait parameters (velocity, cadence, step length, and stride length), and the dynamic gait index (DGI*) in chronic stroke patients.
Participants were randomized into either the foot intrinsic muscle dynamic stretching (n= 10) or standard lunge exercise (n = 10) groups. Both groups performed 3 sets of lunge exercises 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Each set comprised 10 repetitions. Static and dynamic balance, gait parameters, and the DGI were measured after 4 weeks of training.
After 4 weeks of training, the foot intrinsic muscle dynamic stretching group showed significant improvement in all outcome measures compared with the baseline (P < .05). Furthermore, timed up and go, velocity, step length, stride length, and DGI showed greater improvement in the foot intrinsic muscle dynamic stretching group than in the standard lunge exercise group (P < .05).
Source: Kwag Y, Park D. Effects of foot intrinsic muscle dynamic stretching on balance, gait parameters, and dynamic gait index in patients with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled study (CONSORT). Medicine. 2025;104(8):p e41507. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000041507.
