Influence of Observers’ Motor Imagery Abilities on Observational Gait Analysis Using the Wisconsin Gait Scale: A Study Among Physical Therapists Treating Stroke Patients

Observational gait analysis is a simple gait assessment commonly used in rehabilitation. However, the effect of an observer's experience and ability on gait analysis has not been clarified. This study aimed to describe observers' motor imagery ability using the Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS), an evaluation index for observational gait analysis in patients with stroke. Thirty-two physical therapists participated in this study. All participants observed a gait video of a patient with a stroke and performed observational gait analysis using the WGS. The number of correct answers to the WGS for each participant was then calculated according to the correct answers created by two physical therapists with experience in treating patients with stroke. In addition, we evaluated the participants' motor imagery ability using the Controllability of Motor Imagery Test (CMI-T). Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the factors related to the number of correct WGS answers, with the dependent variable being the number of correct WGS answers and the independent variables being years of experience and CMI-T scores. Next, a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using the number of correct WGS answers and years of experience as variables, and the CMI-T scores were compared between the two clusters. The results showed that the number of years of experience was selected as a factor significantly related to the number of correct WGS answers. Clusters with more correct WGS answers and more years of experience had substantially higher CMI-T scores than those with fewer correct answers and less experience. In conclusion, physical therapists with better observational gait analysis and more years of experience have better motor imagery skills than their counterparts.