Comparison of IMU set-ups for the estimation of gait spatio-temporal parameters in an elderly population.
Proc Inst Mech Eng H
; 237(1): 61-73, 2023 Jan.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36377588
ABSTRACT
The increasing average age emphasizes the importance of gait analysis in elderly populations. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) represent a suitable wearable technology for the characterization of gait by estimating spatio-temporal parameters (STPs). However, the location of inertial sensors on the human body and the associated algorithms for the estimation of gait STPs play a fundamental role and are still open challenges. Accordingly, the aim of this work was to compare three IMUs set-ups (trunk, shanks, and ankles) and correspondent algorithms to a gold standard optoelectronic system for the estimation of gait STPs in a healthy elderly population. In total, 14 healthy elderly subjects walked barefoot at three different speeds. Gait parameters were assessed for each IMUs set-up and compared to those estimated with the gold standard. A statistical analysis based on Pearson correlation, Root Mean Square Error and Bland Altman plots was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of IMUs. Even though all tested set-ups produced accurate results, the IMU on the trunk performed better in terms of correlation (R ≥ 0.8), RMSE (0.01-0.06 s for temporal parameters, 0.03-0.04 for the limp index), and level of agreement (-0.01 s ≤ mean error ≤ 0.01 s, -0.02 s ≤ standard deviation error ≤ 0.02 s), also allowing simpler preparation of subjects and minor encumbrance during gait. From the promising results, a similar experiment might be conducted in pathological populations in the attempt to verify the accuracy of IMUs set-ups and algorithms also in non-physiological patterns.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Caminata
/
Marcha
Límite:
Aged
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Inst Mech Eng H
Asunto de la revista:
ENGENHARIA BIOMEDICA
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia