Characterizing gait in people with multiple sclerosis using digital data from smartphone sensors: A proposed...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Mobility assessment is crucial for tracking disease progression in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
• Wearable sensors offer potential for objective mobility assessment, but standardization is lacking.
• Consensus on data collection and interpretation for digital gait measures in PwMS is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a standardized framework for measuring and interpreting impaired gait in PwMS.
• To utilize smartphone technology worn at the waist for gait analysis.
• To provide a foundation for objective and reliable digital mobility assessment in multiple sclerosis.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review (SLR) of gait characteristics in PwMS (post-2011) was conducted.
• The framework development integrated clinical insights with sensor signal processing expertise.
• Standardized definitions for gait domains and associated digital measures were proposed based on SLR findings.

Main Results:

• The framework defines key gait domains: pace, rhythm, stability, symmetry, variability, smoothness, complexity, and fatigability.
• For each domain, specific digital measures are described, including their interpretability and limitations.
• The proposed measures aim to capture complex gait patterns comprehensively.

Conclusions:

• The framework offers recommendations for measuring complex gait in PwMS using accessible smartphone technology.
• It promotes standardized definitions and harmonized descriptions of digital gait measures.
• This standardization facilitates future validation studies and clinical implementation for PwMS.