The application of inertial measurements unit for the clinical evaluation and assessment of gait events

Abstract

Foot drop is one of the common gait abnormalities which are difficult to detect, diagnose and evaluate. While various gait monitoring systems are available, many are computationally expensive and difficult to implement outside laboratory environments. This study introduces an in-house designed system based on inertial measurement units to capture the gait symptoms, specifically in the case of foot drop symptoms. The system specification and communication results, as well as filtering methods are discussed. Also, the pitch angle of thigh, shank and foot from a subject with no reported foot problem have been compared (gathered from identical equipment under similar conditions) to the same angle from a foot drop subject.

Keywords:

• Foot drop
• inertial measurement unit
• pitch angle
• gait analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

We are grateful to the Kailis Foundation and St John of God Healthcare Group Foundation, for the funding of this project.