Ambulatory System for Gait Analysis

We describe the principle and use of a wireless, 3-axis accelerometer-based ambulatory system that records acceleration signals and automatically analyses them to characterize normal and pathological gait. The associated algorithm is versatile enough to detect, on a stride-by-stride basis, refined gait parameters that quantify subtle gait disturbances in, e.g., in Parkinson’s disease in a rater-independent way. The experimental results show the potential of the developed accelerometer-based technique to be used in neurology (e.g., characterization of Parkinsonian gait: slowness, shuffling, short steps, freezing of gait, asymmetries in gait), rehabilitation, geriatrics (ex. monitoring activity parameters in the elderly), orthopedics and sport.