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New lower-limb gait asymmetry indices based on a depth camera
Edouard Auvinet1,2, Franck Multon3,4, Jean Meunier5
1University Rennes 2, ENS Rennes, Campus de Ker lann, Avenue Robert Schuman, Bruz 35170, France. edouard.auvinet@polymtl.ca.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 27, 2015
Summary
A novel gait asymmetry index using a markerless depth camera (Microsoft Kinect™) accurately identifies asymmetrical walking patterns. This low-cost, easy-to-use method shows promise for clinical gait analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Gait Analysis
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Traditional gait asymmetry indices are costly and require complex setups.
- Existing methods often need manual calibration and precise sensor placement.
- Limitations hinder widespread clinical application of gait analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a new, cost-effective gait asymmetry index.
- To utilize markerless depth camera technology (Microsoft Kinect™).
- To enable simpler and more accessible clinical gait analysis.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel asymmetry index based on longitudinal spatial differences in lower limb movement.
- Employed a Microsoft Kinect™ depth camera for markerless data acquisition.
- Validated the index with 15 healthy subjects, inducing asymmetry with a thick sole, and comparing Kinect™ data with motion capture.
Main Results:
- The proposed index successfully distinguished asymmetrical gait (p < 0.001).
- Conventional indices using Kinect™ skeleton data failed to detect asymmetry.
- High correlation (0.968) was found between the Kinect™-derived index and motion capture ground truth.
Conclusions:
- The Kinect™-based gait asymmetry index is affordable and user-friendly.
- This method offers a promising advancement for clinical gait analysis.
- Markerless technology can effectively assess gait parameters.
