Gait disorders - assessment and rehabilitation supported by movement analysis

Abstract

The present paper validates the use of two-dimensional pelvis and thorax translation data for the assessment of gait disturbances and evaluates the effects of a real-time visual feedback system based on thoracic spine kinematics for gait rehabilitation. To validate the use of two-dimensional gait kinematics, vertical and horizontal displacements of pelvis (S1) and thorax (T12) markers of the twelve healthy individuals (25.9 +/- 2.7 years) were recorded during two gait perturbations: a brace constraining the knee to 30 degrees of flexure and a shoe lift of 3 cm. To investigate the effects of verbal instructions and additional real-time visual feedback on vertical and medial-lateral pelvis and trunk movements, gait kinematics were recorded during three randomized trials (verbal instruction, real-time visual kinematic feedback, free walking). Gait deviations did result in significant (p < 0.05) increases of horizontal and vertical trunk pelvis movements. Significant (p < 0.05) reductions in oscillation amplitudes were noted when verbal cues and visual information were received. However, the major decrease occurred during real-time visual feedback. Asymmetric limping, similar to gait disorders of individuals with hip pathologies, could be detected and described by two-dimensional thorax and pelvis translation data. It could be speculated that gait disorders may be addressed by real-time kinematic feedback training.