Abstract
This study validated the feasibility of inertial sensors in estimating lower limb joint kinematics during stair ambulation in healthy older adults and stroke survivors. Three dimensional motion data were collected using an inertial sensor-based system from 9 persons with stroke and 9 healthy older adults as they ascended and descended a staircase at a self-selected pace. The measured joint angles were compared with a laboratory-based motion capture system by computing differences in range of motion (RoM), grand mean error, standard deviation, and coefficients of multiple correlations. For stroke survivors, differences in RoM measurements between these two systems were determined to be 3.3 ± 8.1°, while the highest correlations were found in the estimation of sagittal plane joint angles after offset correction. Results suggest that the inertial sensor system is suitable for estimating major joint angles in healthy older adults as well as the RoM for stroke survivors. New calibration procedures are necessary for applying the technology to a stroke population.
Highlights
Stair negotiation is among the most demanding activities of daily living and an essential skill for independent ambulation, with difficulty reported by one third of community-dwelling older adults [1, 2]
A high level of similarity is observed between flexion extension curves, while marked differences are observed for abduction/adduction and internal/external rotation estimations
Ten chronic stroke survivors and ten healthy older adults were recruited for this study, and 9 from each group were included in the analysis in order to observe stair ambulation techniques relative to various degrees of mobility impairments
Summary
Stair negotiation (ascent and descent) is among the most demanding activities of daily living and an essential skill for independent ambulation, with difficulty reported by one third of community-dwelling older adults [1, 2]. Compared to level ground walking, stair ascent and descent have been shown to be significantly more demanding biomechanical and neuromuscular tasks [3,4,5], and as a result, aging individuals employ adaptation techniques in stair negotiation as their strength and joint mobility decline [6]. For those with limited mobility, such as individuals who have suffered a stroke, the impact of residual impairments in strength, movement coordination, and balance may become more pronounced with increased task demands, limiting the independence of these individuals. Subjects are known to modify their gait patterns in laboratory settings, resulting in over performance compared to their day-to-day walking capability [16,17,18]
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