Gait asymmetry detection in older adults using a light ear-worn sensor

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Medical Technology
• Rehabilitation Engineering

Background:

• Gait asymmetry is crucial for assessing functional limb imbalance due to conditions like osteoarthritis, stroke, or hip/knee replacements.
• Traditional gait analysis relies on expensive and complex equipment like gait labs or force plates, limiting accessibility in home environments.
• Developing accessible methods for gait analysis is essential for monitoring rehabilitation and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a lightweight ear-worn sensor for measuring temporal gait features and asymmetry.
• To assess the sensor's effectiveness across various walking conditions, including different speeds, inclines, and declines.
• To establish a cost-effective and accessible alternative to traditional gait analysis methods.

Main Methods:

• 64 subjects (healthy, hip/knee replacement, knee osteoarthritis) walked on an instrumented treadmill at various speeds and inclines.
• A lightweight (7.4 g) ear sensor collected accelerometer data.
• Gait cycle time and step-period asymmetry were extracted from the sensor data and compared to treadmill measurements.

Main Results:

• Gait cycle time and step-period asymmetry measurements from the ear sensor demonstrated strong agreement with the instrumented treadmill.
• The sensor's accuracy was consistent across flat surfaces, inclines, and declines.
• Validation confirmed the ear sensor's capability to capture temporal gait characteristics reliably.

Conclusions:

• A lightweight ear sensor provides a valid and accessible method for measuring temporal gait features and asymmetry.
• This technology can replace expensive laboratory equipment for gait analysis in both clinical and free-living settings.
• The proposed method facilitates effective monitoring of rehabilitation post-surgery and the progression of conditions causing limb imbalance.