Development and Validation of Ambulosono: A Wearable Sensor for Bio-Feedback Rehabilitation Training.

Taylor Chomiak,Luke Su,Brian Graham,Alexander Watts,Suzanne Classen,Bin Hu,Joshua Wu,Abhijot Sidhu,Brian Falter

doi:10.3390/s19030686

Abstract

Wearable technology-based measurement systems hold potential for the therapeutic and rehabilitation management of patients with various chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and test–retest reliability of a new-generation wearable sensor-based system, dubbed Ambulosono, for bio-feedback training. The Ambulosono sensor system was cross-validated by comparing its functionality with the iPod touch (4th generation) sensor system. Fifteen participants underwent a gait test to measure various gait parameters while wearing both the iPod-based and Ambulosono sensors simultaneously. The physically measured values (i.e., the true values) of step length, distance traveled, velocity, and cadence were then compared to those obtained via the two-sensor systems using the same calculation algorithms. While the mean percentage error was <10% for all measured parameters, and the intra-class correlation coefficient revealed a high level of agreement between trials for both sensor systems, it was found that the Ambulosono sensor system outperformed the iPod-based system in some respects. The Ambulosono sensor system possessed both reliability and accuracy in obtaining gait parameter measurements, which suggests it can serve as an economical alternative to the iPod-based system that is currently used in various clinical rehabilitation programs.

Highlights

Advancements in technology and manufacturing have expanded the application of new wearable technology-based measurement systems for the detection and monitoring of a range of functional aspects of disease under a variety of conditions [1,2,3,4,5,6]
We have shown that the wearable iPod-independent Ambulosono sensor system can perform as well as, or even outperform, the iPod-based system
Given that common clinical motor assessment scales may be a poor indicator of ambulatory function (e.g., [18,19]), and given the relatively inexpensive cost and versatility of wearable sensors compared to stationary systems, quantifying gait with wearable sensors may allow for a more objective approach to determine the functional status of patients under a variety of clinical settings [1,2,3,4,5,6,20,21,22]

Summary

Introduction

Advancements in technology and manufacturing have expanded the application of new wearable technology-based measurement systems for the detection and monitoring of a range of functional aspects of disease under a variety of conditions [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The comprehensive characterization and long-term monitoring of patients by wearable sensor systems offers a practical tool to reduce the standard deviation of clinical endpoints and minimize inter-rater variability of clinical assessments [2]. These wearable technologies have the potential to improve diagnostic precision and therapeutic. We recently developed the Ambulosono sensor system. This system utilizes high-precision movement sensors to digitally link self-generated movements with physiologically defined sound and music cues to enable contingency-based perceptual-motor learning and anticipatory gait control [4,7]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion