Correlation Analysis of Manual and Automatic FGA Assessment Using Pressure wellness mat Metrics

FGA is a widely used clinical tool to assess dynamic balance and gait in individuals with a wide range of mobility disorders. This study explores the relationship between manual FGA ratings provided by clinical observers and automatic FGA assessment calculated using a pressure mat. Six participants performed the tasks of FGA balance test, including walking at different speeds, head turns, and obstacle stepping. Three expert clinicians independently scored participants' performance. Meanwhile, concurrent automated metrics were generated from an algorithm utilizing the pressure data given by the pressure mat readings. Manual and automated scores for FGA revealed a strong positive correlation with an ICC score of 0.783, indicating the feasibility of automatically calculating the FGA score using a pressure mat.Clinical Relevance- The automatic assessment of the FGA with the pressure mat provides an objective and consistent scoring of the FGA, reducing the variability of manual assessments. Its high correlation with clinician scores highlights its potential to enhance balance and gait analysis precision and improve rehabilitation monitoring, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes in clinical practice.