Identification of healthy elderly fallers and non-fallers by gait analysis under dual-task conditions

Abstract

Dual tasks perturb walking in fallers, who exhibit deteriorated static balance. Consequently, walking under dual-task conditions plus a single leg balance test could be helpful in detecting walking disorders and planning physiotherapy to prevent falls.

Effects of Chemotherapy-Induced-Peripheral-Neuropathy on Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and Fall Risk in Cancer Patients After the Completion of Chemotherapy Drug Treatment

“…Research indicates that cancer survivors who have undergone chemotherapy report gait disturbances and higher incidences of falls (Bylow et al, 2008;Gewandter et al, 2013;Mohile et al, 2009Mohile et al, , 2011Stone et al, 2012;Wampler et al, 2007). Although the literature has not evaluated specific changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters in cancer patients, previous research indicates that individuals afflicted with peripheral neuropathy as a result of various etiologies will display altered gait patterns characterized by smaller step and stride lengths, wider step widths, increased double support times, and slower walking speeds (Dingwell & Cavanagh, 2001;Toulotte et al, 2006;Verghese et al, 2009;Wuehr et al, 2014). Furthermore, individuals with peripheral neuropathy will display increased variability within these same parameters, which is significant considering that increased variability is associated with increased falls (Dingwell & Cavanagh, 2001;Maki, EFFECTS OF CIPN ON GAIT AND FALL RISK 63 1997).…”

“…The presence of peripheral neuropathy has been associated with changes in gait patterns and increases in falls in this population (Andersen et al, 1997;Paul et al, 2009;Savelberg et al, 2010;Sawacha et al, 2009;Thomas & Tomlinson, 1993). Research indicates that abnormalities in gait parameters may increase the risk of falling, which is a significant event for the elderly population, as falls have been linked to serious injuries and disabilities, loss of independence, and increased mortality (Alamgir et al, 2012;Toulotte et al, 2006;Verghese et al, 2009). Copious amounts of research demonstrate the importance of the somatosensory system for gait modulation, and when this system is impaired, significant gait changes occur that increase fall risk.…”

“…Research indicates that abnormalities or the observation of variability in gait parameters, such as cadence, stride length, swing, double support, stride length variability, and swing time variability, may increase the risk of falling (Toulotte, Thevenon, Watelain, & Fabre, 2006;Verghese, Holtzer, Lipton, & Wang, 2009). Falling is a significant event for the elderly population, as falls have been linked to serious injuries and disabilities, loss of independence, and increased mortality (Alamgir et al, 2012).…”

“…Gait parameters are significant because research shows that spatiotemporal gait characteristics, such as cadence, stride length, swing, double support, stride length variability, and swing time variability, may be indicators of risk for falling. Specifically, research indicates that slower gait speeds, decreases in step length, and increases in double support times may increase the risk of falling (Toulotte et al, 2006;Verghese et al, 2009). …”

Developing a motion language: Gait analysis from accelerometer sensor systems

“…The correlation between slowing of gait and mild cognitive impairment is also supported in [11]. In addition, gait analysis may help identify and quantify the risk of an elder falling [12], and it is an essential tool in the treatment and evaluation of cerebral palsy patients [13], [14]. Gait analysis is also important when fitting prosthetic or orthotic devices, and when evaluating the success of an orthopedic surgery, e.g.…”