Test-retest reliability of trunk accelerometric gait analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Gait Analysis
• Wearable Sensors

Background:

• Gait analysis is crucial for understanding human locomotion.
• Trunk accelerometry offers a portable and accessible method for gait assessment.
• Establishing the reliability of trunk accelerometry is essential for its clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the test-retest reliability of trunk accelerometric gait analysis in healthy individuals.
• To assess the consistency of gait parameter measurements over consecutive days.

Main Methods:

• A triaxial accelerometer was worn on the lumbar spine of 20 healthy subjects (6 men, 14 women).
• Subjects walked at six self-selected speeds, with data collected over two consecutive days.
• Acceleration signals were processed to calculate root mean square values, cadence, step, and stride lengths at a standardized speed (1.35 m/s).
• Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and measurement error (ME) were used to determine reliability.

Main Results:

• High ICC values (0.77-0.96) were observed for mean acceleration.
• Measurement error (ME) values were low: 0.007-0.01 g for acceleration, 0.009 m for step length, 0.022 m for stride length, and 1.644 steps/min for cadence.
• The findings indicate excellent test-retest reliability for the measured gait parameters.

Conclusions:

• Trunk accelerometric gait analysis demonstrates high reliability in healthy subjects.
• The method shows significant potential for use in clinical gait analysis.
• This technology provides a dependable tool for assessing gait parameters.