Instrumented gait analysis: A measure of gait improvement by a wheeled walker in hospitalized geriatric patients

Samuel Schülein, Jens Barth, Alexander Rampp, Roland Rupprecht, Björn M. Eskofier, Jürgen Winkler, Karl Günter Gaßmann, Jochen Klucken*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: In an increasing aging society, reduced mobility is one of the most important factors limiting activities of daily living and overall quality of life. The ability to walk independently contributes to the mobility, but is increasingly restricted by numerous diseases that impair gait and balance. The aim of this cross-sectional observation study was to examine whether spatio-temporal gait parameters derived from mobile instrumented gait analysis can be used to measure the gait stabilizing effects of a wheeled walker (WW) and whether these gait parameters may serve as surrogate marker in hospitalized patients with multifactorial gait and balance impairment. Methods: One hundred six patients (ages 68-95) wearing inertial sensor equipped shoes passed an instrumented walkway with and without gait support from a WW. The walkway assessed the risk of falling associated gait parameters velocity, swing time, stride length, stride time- and double support time variability. Inertial sensor-equipped shoes measured heel strike and toe off angles, and foot clearance. Results: The use of a WW improved the risk of spatio-temporal parameters velocity, swing time, stride length and the sagittal plane associated parameters heel strike and toe off angles in all patients. First-time users (FTUs) showed similar gait parameter improvement patterns as frequent WW users (FUs). However, FUs with higher levels of gait impairment improved more in velocity, stride length and toe off angle compared to the FTUs. Conclusion: The impact of a WW can be quantified objectively by instrumented gait assessment. Thus, objective gait parameters may serve as surrogate markers for the use of walking aids in patients with gait and balance impairments.

Original languageEnglish
Article number18
JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Feb 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 4-wheeled walker
  • Gait analysis
  • Geriatric patients
  • Risk-of-falling

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Instrumented gait analysis: A measure of gait improvement by a wheeled walker in hospitalized geriatric patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this