Feasibility of Wearable Sensors to Determine Gait Parameters
Condition: Gait Analysis
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Hypotheses:

      • A wearable sensor system can be used to accurately monitor three common gait parameters:
      gait speed, stride length, and torso motion.

      Objectives:

      This study will examine the feasibility of using wearable sensors to monitor common gait
      parameters: gait speed, stride length and torso motion. A wearable sensor system of 8
      commercially available inertial measurement units (IMU) will be composed. These sensors will
      work in unison to monitor the gait parameters.

      Technical Objectives

        -  Gather information on commercially available IMUs

        -  Use computer software to monitor and record data from IMUs

        -  Develop an algorithm that can monitor volunteer gait speed, stride length and torso
           motion

        -  Develop a graphical algorithm that compares healthy patient data to potential mild
           traumatic brain injury (mTBI ) candidates

        -  Determine if there is a potential for mTBI determination using the wearable sensors

        -  Accurately validate the wearable sensor system to the gait parameters measured using a
           Vicon motion analysis system
    

Detailed description: 
      This study will examine the feasibility of using wearable sensors to monitor common gait
      parameters. A sensor system consisting of 8 wearable inertial measurement units (IMU) that
      include accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers will be examined. These sensors will be
      programmed to work in unison to monitor gait parameters. The wearable sensor suite will have
      the capability to collect and store gait parameter data. The size and weight of each sensor
      should be similar to a standard metal wrist watch. The sensor suite will monitor three gait
      parameters: gait speed, stride length, and torso motion. These gait parameters are important
      for monitoring and detection of mild traumatic brain injury and as well as other neurological
      and vestibular disorders.

      The wearable sensor suite will have the following design parameters:

        -  Devices must be able to both stream data real-time and record data onboard for later
           transfer to a computer.

        -  Data must be processed using a software analysis package such as MATLAB®

        -  Device must be no heavier than the size of a metal wrist watch

        -  Device must be easily put on and be easily operated by clinicians and users

        -  Device must have a battery life of greater than 4 hours The wearable sensor suite will
           then be validated using an eight camera Vicon infrared optical capture motion analysis
           system for comparison. Ten healthy volunteers will be asked to complete four different
           types of gait trials 5 times for each trial type while being monitored by the Vicon
           motion analysis system and the wearable sensor system.

      The types of gait trials will be the following:

        -  Walk down a 20 ft path at self-selected normal stride length and cadence

        -  Walk down a 20 ft path with increased stride length while decreasing gait speed

        -  Walk down a 20 ft path with increased stride length while increasing gait speed

        -  Walk down a 20 ft path with decreased stride length while decreasing gait speed

        -  Walk down a 20 ft path with decreased stride length while increasing gait speed
    

Observational model: Case-Control
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Ten healthy volunteers with no history of gait and balance issues will be recruited to
        participate in the study. The participants must be between 18 and 65 years of age.
      
Keywords: wearable sensors; kinematics; gait