Validation of an Ear-Worn Wearable Gait Analysis Device

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Wearable technology
• Gait analysis

Background:

• Conventional gait analysis relies on expensive equipment like motion capture systems and treadmills.
• Wearable devices present a more accessible and cost-effective solution for gait analysis.
• The Beflex Coach, an ear-worn Bluetooth earphone, is a novel wearable device for gait assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the accuracy of the ear-worn Beflex Coach against a gold standard motion capture system and treadmill.
• To assess the device's capability in measuring key walking and running gait parameters.

Main Methods:

• Twenty young adults performed walking and running on a forced treadmill at various speeds.
• Gait parameters were simultaneously recorded using the Beflex Coach and a motion capture system.
• Key parameters included cadence, support times, vertical oscillation (VO), and instantaneous vertical loading rate (IVLR).

Main Results:

• All measured gait parameters demonstrated excellent associations (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient > 0.75).
• Bland-Altman plots indicated good agreement between the ear-worn device and the reference system.
• The device proved valid for both walking and running gait analysis.

Conclusions:

• The ear-worn Beflex Coach is a valid and potentially inexpensive tool for gait analysis.
• This technology could democratize access to gait analysis for researchers and clinicians.
• Further research may explore its utility in diverse populations and clinical settings.