Gait Assessment Using Smartphone Applications in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Spatiotemporal parameters such as gait velocity and stride length are simple indicators of functional status and can be used to predict major adverse outcomes in older adults. A smartphone can be used for gait analysis by providing spatiotemporal parameters useful for improving the diagnosis and rehabilitation processes in frail people. The aim of this study was to review articles published in the last 20 years (from 2004 to 2024) concerning the application of smartphones to assess the spatiotemporal parameters of gait in older adults. This systematic review was performed in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), and original articles were identified by searching seven electronic databases: SciVerse (ScienceDirect), Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Medline, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Studies were rigorously screened using the inclusion criteria of smartphones and mobile apps, older adults and spatiotemporal gait parameters, and results were narratively synthesized. Seventy-three articles were initially identified while searching the scientific literature regarding this topic. Eleven articles were selected and included in this review. Analysis of these studies covered information about gait assessment using mobile apps recorded in 723 older adults and 164 control cases. Analysis of data related to the application of smartphones to assess spatiotemporal parameters of gait in older adults showed moderate-to-excellent test-retest reliability and validity (ICCs around 0.9) of gait speed, the most common parameter reported. Additionally, gait speeds recorded with mobile apps showed excellent agreement when compared to gold standard systems. Smartphones and mobile apps are useful, non-invasive, low-cost and objective tools that are being extensively used to perform gait analysis in older adults. Smartphones and mobile apps can reliably identify spatiotemporal parameters related to adverse outcomes, such as a slow gait speed, as predictors and outcomes in clinical practice and research involving older adults.