Novel, clinically applicable method to measure step-width during the swing phase of gait

OBJECTIVE Step-width during walking is an indicator of stability and balance in patients with neurological disorders, and development of objective tools to measure this clinically would be a great advantage. The aim of this study was to validate an in-house developed gait analysis system (Striton), based on optical and inertial sensors and a novel method for stride detection, for measuring step-width during the swing phase of gait and temporal parameters. APPROACH The step-width and stride-time measurements were validated in an experimental setup, against a 3D motion capture system and on an instrumented walkway. Further, test-retest and day-to-day variability were evaluated, and gait parameters were collected from 87 elderly persons (EP) and four individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) before/after surgery. MAIN RESULTS Accuracy of the step-width measurement was high; in the experimental setup mean error was 0.08±0.25cm (R=1.00) and against the 3D motion capture system 0.04±1.12cm (R=0.98). Test-retest and day-to-day measurements were equal within ±0.5cm. Mean difference in stride time was -0.003±0.008s between Striton and the instrumented walkway. The Striton system was successfully applied in the clinical setting on individuals with iNPH, which had larger step-width (6.88cm, n=4) compared to EP (5.22cm, n=87). SIGNIFICANCE We conclude that Striton is a valid, reliable and wearable system for quantitative assessment of step-width and temporal parameters during gait. Initial measurements indicate that the newly defined step-width parameter differs between EP and patients with iNPH and before/after surgery. Thus, there is potential for clinical applicability in patients with reduced gait stability.