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Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
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Clinical gait analysis 1973-2023: Evaluating progress to guide the future
Julie Stebbins1, Marian Harrington2, Caroline Stewart3
1Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University, United Kingdom; Oxford Gait Laboratory, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Rd, Oxford OX3 7HE, United Kingdom.
Journal of Biomechanics
|October 16, 2023
Summary
Clinical gait analysis has advanced significantly in technology over 50 years, yet linking data to clinical decisions remains a challenge. Future innovations aim to make gait analysis more accessible and applicable to real-world mobility.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Medical Technology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Clinical gait analysis has a 50-year history, evolving with motion capture and software.
- Progress has been driven by biomechanics innovations and community research.
- Despite technological advances, challenges persist in translating gait data into clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the state-of-the-art in clinical gait analysis.
- To map progress over the last five decades.
- To identify current challenges and future opportunities.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was distributed to gait analysts worldwide.
- Responses were collected from 229 participants across 28 countries.
- Community experience and expert opinion were synthesized.
Main Results:
- Greatest progress reported in hardware, automation, and software development.
- Many current challenges mirror those from 50 years ago.
- A need for better algorithms and evidence to link gait data to clinical decisions was identified.
- Biomechanical models require further refinement.
Conclusions:
- Clinical gait analysis faces persistent challenges in clinical decision-making integration.
- Innovation is needed to improve accessibility, real-world applicability, and modeling techniques.
- Growth in the gait analysis community and communication technology offers future opportunities.
