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Development and validation of a low-cost, portable and wireless gait assessment tool.

Development and validation of a low-cost, portable and wireless gait assessment tool.

Authors :
Macleod CA
Conway BA
Allan DB
Galen SS
Source :
Medical engineering & physics [Med Eng Phys] 2014 Apr; Vol. 36 (4), pp. 541-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Dec 15.
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

Background: Performing gait analysis in a clinical setting can often be challenging due to time, cost and the availability of sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis systems. This study has developed and tested a portable wireless gait assessment tool (wi-GAT) to address these challenges.<br />Aim: To investigate the concurrent validity of the wi-GAT in measuring spatio-temporal gait parameters such as stride length, stride duration, cadence, double support time (DST), stance and swing time compared to a 3D Vicon motion analysis system.<br />Methods: Ten healthy volunteers participated in the study (age range 23-30 years). Spatio-temporal gait parameters were recorded simultaneously by the Vicon and the wi-GAT systems as each subject walked at their self-selected speed.<br />Results: The stride length and duration, cadence, stance duration and walking speed recorded using the wi-GAT showed strong agreement with those same parameters recorded by the Vicon (ICC of 0.94-0.996). A difference between the systems in registering "toe off" resulted in less agreement (ICC of 0.299-0.847) in gait parameters such as %stance and %swing and DST.<br />Discussion and Conclusion: The study demonstrated good concurrent validity for the wi-GAT system. The wi-GAT has the potential to be a useful assessment tool for clinicians.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1873-4030
Volume :
36
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Medical engineering & physics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
24345892
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2013.11.011