A quantitative analysis of gait patterns in vestibular neuritis patients using gyroscope sensor and a continuous walking protocol

Abstract

BackgroundLocomotion involves an integration of vision, proprioception, and vestibular information. The parieto-insular vestibular cortex is known to affect the supra-spinal rhythm generators, and the vestibular system regulates anti-gravity muscle tone of the lower leg in the same side to maintain an upright posture through the extra-pyramidal track. To demonstrate the relationship between locomotion and vestibular function, we evaluated the differences in gait patterns between vestibular neuritis (VN) patients and normal subjects using a gyroscope sensor and long-way walking protocol.MethodsGyroscope sensors were attached to both shanks of healthy controls (n=10) and age-matched VN patients (n = 10). We then asked the participants to walk 88.8 m along a corridor. Through the summation of gait cycle data, we measured gait frequency (Hz), normalized angular velocity (NAV) of each axis for legs, maximum and minimum NAV, up-slope and down-slope of NAV in swing phase, stride-swing-stance time (s), and stance to stride ratio (%).ResultsThe most dominant walking frequency in the VN group was not different compared to normal control. The NAVs of z-axis (pitch motion) were significantly larger than the others (x-, y-axis) and the values in VN patients tended to decrease in both legs and the difference of NAV between both group was significant in the ipsi-lesion side in the VN group only (p=0.03). Additionally, the gait velocity of these individuals was decreased relatively to controls (1.11 ± 0.120 and 0.84 ± 0.061 m/s in control and VN group respectively, p<0.01), which seems to be related to the significantly increased stance and stride time of the ipsi-lesion side. Moreover, in the VN group, the maximum NAV of the lesion side was less, and the minimum one was higher than control group. Furthermore, the down-slope and up-slope of NAV decreased on the impaired side.ConclusionThe walking pattern of VN patients was highly phase-dependent, and NAV of pitch motion was significantly decreased in the ipsi-lesion side. The change of gait rhythm, stance and stride time, and maximum/minimum NAV of the ipsi-lesion side were characteristics of individuals with VN.

Reduced vestibular function is associated with longer, slower steps in healthy adults during normal speed walking

“…When there is damage to these vestibular organs and subsequent loss of sensory input during motion, normal gait patterns are compromised [6]. Recent studies have shown a link between vestibular impairment and gait abnormalities in patients with vestibular disorders such as vestibular neuritis and vestibular schwannoma, including decreased gait speed and increased variability in stance and swing time [7,8].…”

Clinical Gait Evaluation of Patients with Lumbar Spine Stenosis

“…Clinicians and scientists have been calling for a portable, reliable, low-cost, and time-saving gait analysis system for decades. In recent years, wearable sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes have enabled us to record spatial temporal, kinematic and kinetic data, and to analyze the gait outside conventional gait laboratories 14,[18][19][20][21] , including the quantification of gait and movement disorders 22,23 .…”

Walking Stability in Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: An Objective Assessment Using Wearable Accelerometers and Machine Learning

“…Walking stability during natural walking have been used to quantify the balance ability and disease severity, which can be accessed using wearable sensors without the limitations of a gait laboratory environment [11][12][13]. The sensor-based measurements of walking stability include root mean square (RMS), harmonic ratio (HR), gait variability, gait symmetry and gait regularity [14].…”