title: Gait variability analysed using an accelerometer is associated with locomotive syndrome among the general elderly population: The GAINA study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gait variability analysed using an accelerometer provides a unique measurement of locomotive dysfunction in patients with musculoskeletal disease or in frail elderly subjects. Therefore, assessing gait variability may become a clinical screening method for the locomotive syndrome. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether gait variability analysed using an accelerometer was associated with locomotive syndrome in the general elderly population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 273 residents were screened after a yearly medical check-up, and of these, 223 subjects (mean age, 73.6 ± 8.3 years) met the eligibility criteria. Demographic information, body function and structure measurements (bone mass, grip strength, muscle mass, and postural alignment), and gait parameters were assessed. Gait variability analysis was based on acceleration using a wireless tri-axial accelerometer attached to the 3rd lumbar vertebra process by a trunk belt. Autocorrelation coefficients were used to represent gait variability in three directions: vertical, mediolateral, and anteroposterior. The subjects were classified as either having or not having the locomotive syndrome based on the 5-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 223 subjects, 41 (18.3%) had the locomotive syndrome. Autocorrelation coefficients in three directions were lower in the subjects with locomotive syndrome. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustment factors, of the autocorrelation coefficients only gait variability in the vertical axis remained a significant independent associated with the locomotive syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This finding suggested that gait variability based on evaluation of autocorrelation coefficients in the vertical axis measured using an accelerometer has the potential to become a screening method for the locomotive syndrome in the general elderly population.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Division, Tottori University Hospital, Nishicho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan. Electronic address: h.matsumoto@med.tottori-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Division, Tottori University Hospital, Nishicho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan; School of Health Science, Tottori University, Faculty of Medicine, Nishicho 86, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan. Electronic address: hagino@med.tottori-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagino
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Division, Tottori University Hospital, Nishicho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan. Electronic address: osakim@med.tottori-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osaki
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery, Tottori University Hospital, Nishicho 36-1, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan. Electronic address: shinjit@med.tottori-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanishima
authors.affiliation: School of Health Science, Tottori University, Faculty of Medicine, Nishicho 86, Yonago, Tottori 683-8503, Japan. Electronic address: chika01@med.tottori-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Chika
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tanimura
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Division, Daisen Rehabilitation Hospital, Houkicho, Ohara 927-1, Saihakugun, Tottori 689-4102, Japan. Electronic address: reha-matsuura@drh.or.jp.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Division, Misasaonsen Hospital, Yamada Misasa onsencho 690, Tohakugun, Tottori 682-0197, Japan. Electronic address: tomoyuki_makabe@hosp.misasa.tottori.jp.
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makabe
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013577:Syndrome