Appendix D: Observations Summary
Introduction
For this user observation summary, our client Jenny Sampras does not have an available patient with scissor gait that we could observe. However, the client has sent a collection of videos of individuals with scissor gait for us to watch. We have identified one such video from the collection that is appropriate to write a user observation summary on for our project, furthermore, we researched for other videos of individuals with scissor gait and have found another two to observe as well.
Video 1
Why is this video appropriate to be observed?
This video shows an adult man, who has had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that resulted in scissor gait, walking from multiple angles with minimal clothing. It can be inferred that this video was taken as a physiotherapy reference for medical students or physical therapists, and it can be inferred that the man is wearing minimal clothing because it shows more clearly the biomechanics of his scissor gait. Our client has stated that nearly all of the individuals that she works with are adults above the age of 30, who have had a stroke that resulted in brain damage or a TBI that resulted in brain damage, which caused them to have scissor gait. Thus, making this an appropriate video to write about for this summary.
Issues with the video?
Our client has specified that her patients generally have quite severe scissor gait, whereas the man in the video has a very mild form of it.
Initial observations
Little is known about the man in the video other than the fact that he has had a traumatic brain injury that has resulted in him having scissor gait. He is using a cane to walk. From physical appearances, he appears to be a white male in his 20s, not particularly muscular nor overweight, seems to be of average build and height.
The subject’s gait
Table 3 shows the observations on the scissor gait displayed during this video.
Table 3: Observations of Video 1
Video 2: https://youtu.be/FvmeZOAzy6l (no longer available)
Why is this video appropriate to be observed?
Our client has stated that she deals with severe cases of scissor gait and we should design our solutions with that in mind. As this video shows an individual demonstrating a severe case of scissor gait with multiple angles and in slow motion, it makes it appropriate to be observed. The creators of the video also seem to have done detailed research into the gait disorder and accurately demonstrated what scissor gait would look like.
Issues with the video?
The individual in the video is demonstrating scissor gait but does not have the condition. This means the validity of the biomechanics of scissor gait shown in this video may not be entirely accurate and possibly misleading. It could also be interpreted as slightly mocking. Furthermore, it is not specified what “caused” the scissor gait, whether that be brain damage, cerebral palsy, or another affliction.
Initial observations
As the individual does not actually have scissor gait, any background information or other observations about the person is not relevant.
The subject’s gait
Table 4 shows the observations on the scissor gait displayed during this video.
Table 4: Observations of Video 2
Video 3
Why is this video appropriate to be observed?
This video shows an individual walking who actually has scissor gait. Furthermore, it does not show the face of the individual who seems to be a teen, anonymity therefore being an important aspect that is satisfied in this case.
Issues with the video?
The individual in the video does not appear to be an adult, likely a teen from their build. Furthermore, there is no information about what caused this individual to have scissor gait, from their age, it likely is cerebral palsy and not due to stroke or a TBI.
Initial observations
The individual seems to have darker skin, likely Indian or South Asian, and they are in what appears to be a doctors office, with someone dressed in a doctor’s gown, likely a doctor, helping support the individual.
The subject’s gait
Table 5 shows the observations on the scissor gait displayed during this video.
Table 5: Observations of Video 3