Abstract
Purpose:To investigate the reliability of 3D-accelerometry based gait analysis, and its correlates with clinical status and fall-risk.
Methods: Forty elderly presenting increased fall-risk (OFR), 41 old controls (OC) and 40 young controls (aged 80.6±5.4, 79.1±4.9 and 21.6±1.4 years respectively) underwent 3 gait evaluations (2 assessors in random order) each containing 2 walks of 18m with a DynaPort MiniMod accelerometer on the pelvis. Intra- and interobserver reliability of gait speed, step-time asymmetry, mediolateral and craniocaudal step and stride regularity were determined by ICC and CV of Standard Error of Measurement (CVSEM). Relationships with cognition (MMSE), dependency, grip strength, muscle endurance, and fall-risk (fall-history, timed-get-up-and-go and Tinetti-test) were analyzed in elderly participants.
Results: Reliability for single walk was low (ICC0.80, CVSEM0.70, 4%
Conclusions: In all participants together, 3D-accelerometry based gait speed and regularity showed high reliability when based on two walks of 18 meter. Relationships with functional characteristics support the validity of gait variability features in elderly persons. More fundamental and prospective research is necessary to clarify their clinical value.
Methods: Forty elderly presenting increased fall-risk (OFR), 41 old controls (OC) and 40 young controls (aged 80.6±5.4, 79.1±4.9 and 21.6±1.4 years respectively) underwent 3 gait evaluations (2 assessors in random order) each containing 2 walks of 18m with a DynaPort MiniMod accelerometer on the pelvis. Intra- and interobserver reliability of gait speed, step-time asymmetry, mediolateral and craniocaudal step and stride regularity were determined by ICC and CV of Standard Error of Measurement (CVSEM). Relationships with cognition (MMSE), dependency, grip strength, muscle endurance, and fall-risk (fall-history, timed-get-up-and-go and Tinetti-test) were analyzed in elderly participants.
Results: Reliability for single walk was low (ICC0.80, CVSEM0.70, 4%
Conclusions: In all participants together, 3D-accelerometry based gait speed and regularity showed high reliability when based on two walks of 18 meter. Relationships with functional characteristics support the validity of gait variability features in elderly persons. More fundamental and prospective research is necessary to clarify their clinical value.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 366-372 |
| Number of pages <span style="color:red"p> <font size="1.5"> ✽ </span> </font> | 7 |
| Journal | Gait and Posture |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- elderly
- fall
- gait analysis
- accelerometer
- muscle strength
- muscle fatigue