[Gait disorders - assessment and rehabilitation supported by movement analysis].
OBJECTIVE
The present paper validates the use of two-dimensional pelvis and thorax translation data for the assessment of gait disturbances and evaluates the effects of a real-time visual feedback system based on thoracic spine kinematics for gait rehabilitation.


METHODS
To validate the use of two-dimensional gait kinematics, vertical and horizontal displacements of pelvis (S1) and thorax (T12) markers of the twelve healthy individuals (25.9 +/- 2.7 years) were recorded during two gait perturbations: a brace constraining the knee to 30 degrees of flexure and a shoe lift of 3 cm. To investigate the effects of verbal instructions and additional real-time visual feedback on vertical and medial-lateral pelvis and trunk movements, gait kinematics were recorded during three randomized trials (verbal instruction, real-time visual kinematic feedback, free walking).


RESULTS
Gait deviations did result in significant (p < 0.05) increases of horizontal and vertical trunk pelvis movements. Significant (p < 0.05) reductions in oscillation amplitudes were noted when verbal cues and visual information were received. However, the major decrease occurred during real-time visual feedback.


CONCLUSIONS
Asymmetric limping, similar to gait disorders of individuals with hip pathologies, could be detected and described by two-dimensional thorax and pelvis translation data. It could be speculated that gait disorders may be addressed by real-time kinematic feedback training.
Vogt
L
L
Institut für Sportwissenschaften, Abteilung Sportmedizin, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Germany..
Brettmann
K
K
Pfeifer
K
K
Banzer
W
W
D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012775:Shoes; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology