Gait analysis: a step in the right direction

Tri-axial accelerometery has recently been shown to produce reliable gait parameters in normal subjects. This study reports the use of this device in patients with pathological gait. Thirty-three patients with a variety of mobility-limiting disorders were studied. All patients were independently mobile with or without a walking aid. Gait was recorded by attaching the tri-axial accelerometer over the patient's sacrum with the patient walking at their usual pace along a 6m path. Gait speed was measured in all 33 patients and ranged from 0.11 m/s to 0.82m/s. Gait parameters could not be calculated in eight patients. In the remaining 25 patients, gait cycle time, cadence, stride length and mean right and left step times could be calculated. Interobserver variation was 2%. Comparison of right and left step times enabled lateralization of the gait abnormality. This portable technique allows rapid qualitative and quantitative assessment of gait within a normal ward environment.