Assessment of gait spatio-temporal parameters in neurological disorders using wearable inertial sensors

Trojaniello, Diana (2015) Assessment of gait spatio-temporal parameters in neurological disorders using wearable inertial sensors, [Dissertation thesis], Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna. Dottorato di ricerca in Bioingegneria, 27 Ciclo. DOI 10.6092/unibo/amsdottorato/7122.
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Abstract

Movement analysis carried out in laboratory settings is a powerful, but costly solution since it requires dedicated instrumentation, space and personnel. Recently, new technologies such as the magnetic and inertial measurement units (MIMU) are becoming widely accepted as tools for the assessment of human motion in clinical and research settings. They are relatively easy-to-use and potentially suitable for estimating gait kinematic features, including spatio-temporal parameters. The objective of this thesis regards the development and testing in clinical contexts of robust MIMUs based methods for assessing gait spatio-temporal parameters applicable across a number of different pathological gait patterns. First, considering the need of a solution the least obtrusive as possible, the validity of the single unit based approach was explored. A comparative evaluation of the performance of various methods reported in the literature for estimating gait temporal parameters using a single unit attached to the trunk first in normal gait and then in different pathological gait conditions was performed. Then, the second part of the research headed towards the development of new methods for estimating gait spatio-temporal parameters using shank worn MIMUs on different pathological subjects groups. In addition to the conventional gait parameters, new methods for estimating the changes of the direction of progression were explored. Finally, a new hardware solution and relevant methodology for estimating inter-feet distance during walking was proposed. Results of the technical validation of the proposed methods at different walking speeds and along different paths against a gold standard were reported and showed that the use of two MIMUs attached to the lower limbs associated with a robust method guarantee a much higher accuracy in determining gait spatio-temporal parameters. In conclusion, the proposed methods could be reliably applied to various abnormal gaits obtaining in some cases a comparable level of accuracy with respect to normal gait.

Abstract
Tipologia del documento
Tesi di dottorato
Autore
Trojaniello, Diana
Supervisore
Co-supervisore
Dottorato di ricerca
Scuola di dottorato
Scienze e ingegneria dell'informazione
Ciclo
27
Coordinatore
Settore disciplinare
Settore concorsuale
Parole chiave
Inertial sensors, Wearable sensors, Gait analysis, Spatio-temporal parameters, Elderly, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Stroke, Traumatic brain injured, Gait patterns, Abnormal gait, Biomechanics, Validation, Direction of progression, Inter-feet distance
URN:NBN
DOI
10.6092/unibo/amsdottorato/7122
Data di discussione
8 Maggio 2015
URI

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