Abstract
Objective: Step-width during walking is an indicator of stability and balance in patients with neurological disorders, and development of objective tools to measure this clinically would be a great advantage. The aim of this study was to validate an in-house-developed gait analysis system (Striton), based on optical and inertial sensors and a novel method for stride detection, for measuring step-width during the swing phase of gait and temporal parameters. Approach: The step-width and stride-time measurements were validated in an experimental setup, against a 3D motion capture system and on an instrumented walkway. Further, test-retest and day-to-day variability were evaluated, and gait parameters were collected from 87 elderly persons (EP) and four individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) before/after surgery. Main results: Accuracy of the step-width measurement was high: in the experimental setup mean error was 0.08 ± 0.25 cm (R = 1.00) and against the 3D motion capture system 0.04 ± 1.12 cm (R = 0.98). Test-retest and day-to-day measurements were equal within ±0.5 cm. Mean difference in stride time was −0.003 ± 0.008 s between Striton and the instrumented walkway. The Striton system was successfully applied in the clinical setting on individuals with iNPH, which had larger step-width (6.88 cm, n = 4) compared to EP (5.22 cm, n = 87). Significance: We conclude that Striton is a valid, reliable and wearable system for quantitative assessment of step-width and temporal parameters during gait. Initial measurements indicate that the newly defined step-width parameter differs between EP and patients with iNPH and before/after surgery. Thus, there is potential for clinical applicability in patients with reduced gait stability.
Highlights
Gait disorders are common in individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal diseases
The aim of this study was to validate an in-house-developed gait analysis system maintain attribution to (Striton), based on optical and inertial sensors and a novel method for stride detection, for the author(s) and the title of the work, journal measuring step-width during the swing phase of gait and temporal parameters
Test-retest and day-to-day variability The test-retest investigation on 10 persons in the elderly persons (EP) group resulted in a mean difference of 0.20 ± 0.44 cm in step-width
Summary
Gait disorders are common in individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal diseases. It is often difficult to in detail assess the level of gait impairment due to the lack of reliable and objective tools. Gait function is often visually assessed using coarse scales, including estimates of, for example, gait initiation, step length and height, step symmetry and steadiness evaluated as adequate or not (Tinetti 1986). In contrast to the assessment in clinic, the scientific movement analysis research utilizes advanced instruments, e.g. treadmills, 3D motion capture systems or instrumented walkways to gain a detailed picture of gait function. Since most of these instruments are expensive, require large specialized laboratories and specially trained personal, they are seldom suitable for daily clinical investigations
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