Assessing a novel way to measure step count while walking using a custom mobile phone application

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Mobile Health Technology
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Walking speed is a crucial clinical indicator linked to frailty, mortality, and joint replacement needs.
• Accurate walking speed measurement typically requires specialized equipment or significant staff time.
• Current smartphone step tracking software lacks the precision needed for clinical gait analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel smartphone software for accurate step count measurement.
• To compare the performance of the novel software against standard iOS and Android step tracking applications.
• To establish a foundation for smartphone-based walking speed assessment in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• A novel software application was developed to measure step count using smartphone sensors.
• Calibration and validation studies involved participants walking at various speeds and distances.
• Statistical models (generalized estimated equation adjusted negative binomial regression) were used to compare observed step counts with software-derived counts.

Main Results:

• The novel software significantly outperformed native step tracking on iOS devices at slow speeds and short distances.
• On Android devices, the novel software showed superior performance at slow speeds and longer distances compared to native tracking.
• The software-driven approach demonstrated better accuracy across different speeds and distances than embedded tracking.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone-based step count measurement using novel software offers a viable, accessible alternative to traditional methods.
• This technology can facilitate standardized gait data collection across diverse devices for clinical use.
• The adjustable parameters of the software allow for optimization for specific medical conditions, supporting future remote monitoring and value-based care.