Accelerometer and Gyroscope Based Gait Analysis Using Spectral Analysis of Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Abstract

[Purpose] A wide variety of accelerometer tools are used to estimate human movement, but there are no adequate data relating to gait symmetry parameters in the context of knee osteoarthritis. This study’s purpose was to evaluate a 3D-kinematic system using body-mounted sensors (gyroscopes and accelerometers) on the trunk and limbs. This is the first study to use spectral analysis for data post processing. [Subjects] Twelve patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) (10 male) and seven age-matched controls (6 male) were studied. [Methods] Measurements with 3-D accelerometers and gyroscopes were compared to video analysis with marker positions tracked by a six-camera optoelectronic system (VICON 460, Oxford Metrics). Data were recorded using the 3D-kinematic system. [Results] The results of both gait analysis systems were significantly correlated. Five parameters were significantly different between the knee OA and control groups. To overcome time spent in expensive post-processing routines, spectral analysis was performed for fast differentiation between normal gait and pathological gait signals using the 3D-kinematic system. [Conclusions] The 3D-kinematic system is objective, inexpensive, accurate and portable, and allows long-term recordings in clinical, sport as well as ergonomic or functional capacity evaluation (FCE) settings. For fast post-processing, spectral analysis of the recorded data is recommended.

Validity of Physical Activity Measures in Individuals After Total Knee Arthroplasty

“…14,15 Comparing the performance of an accelerometer-based to a multisensor-based monitor will also provide evidence for informed decisions of clinicians and researchers when choosing a monitor to measure PA in people with similar characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent criterion-related validity of two activity monitors against indirect calorimetry in measuring energy expenditure during sedentary to moderate intensity activities in older adults after TKA, and we hypothesized similar validity of both activity monitors.…”

Perceptual-Postural Correlation of Visual Dependence in Healthy Adults Across Age Groups

“…Postural visual dependence: Postural visual dependence was assessed by postural sway acceleration (m/s2), which was measured using a smartphone device (Apple iPhone 4s, Apple Computer Inc., USA) loaded with the SPARKvue Application software (v2.5.0, PASCO Scientific, USA). The iPhone device was firmly attached to the subject by means of an elastic belt around the waist over the middle part of the lower back over the L3 (3rd lumbar) vertebra process so that it was attached close to the center of gravity (COG) of the human body [8]. Several studies have indicated that accelerometric mobile devices, such as an iPhone or iPod, showed the capacity to quantify balance parameters with accuracy and reliability [9] when compared to laboratory equipment such as strain gauges and accelerometers.…”

No differences in objective dynamic instability during acceleration of the knee with or without subjective instability post-total knee arthroplasty

“…The various accelerometer designs are sensitive and have diverse dynamic ranges [ 6 , 17 – 19 ]. Accelerometer-based gait analysis has potential application in rehabilitation and clinical practice settings, as well as in research [ 25 ].…”

“…FFT calculates the component frequencies of a signal and the amount of movement (amplitude) at each frequency. The summation of a number of sine and cosine waves of different frequencies and amplitudes generated from the motion of different physical structures can be considered as a frequency signal resulting from ground reaction forces [ 25 ]. If the subjects with TKA produce slight motion instability, FFT can detect it as a frequency signal provided by ground reaction forces.…”