title: Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of sensor monitoring of gait and falls in the homes of persons with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Gait parameters variability and falls are problems for persons with MS and have not been adequately captured in the home. Our goal was to explore the feasibility and acceptability of monitoring of gait and falls in the homes of persons with MS over a period of 30 days. To test the feasibility of measuring gait and falls for 30days in the home of persons with MS, spatiotemporal gait parameters stride length, stride time, and gait speed were compared. A 3D infrared depth imaging system has been developed to objectively measure gait and falls in the home environment. Participants also completed a 16-foot GaitRite electronic pathway walk to validate spatiotemporal parameters of gait (gait speed (cm/s), stride length (cm), and gait cycle time(s)) during the timed 25 foot walking test (T25FWT). We also documented barriers to feasibility of installing the in-home sensors for these participants. The results of the study suggest that the Kinect sensor may be used as an alternative device to measure gait for persons with MS, depending on the desired accuracy level. Ultimately, using in-home sensors to analyze gait parameters in real time is feasible and could lead to better analysis of gait in persons with MS.
authors.affiliation: Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College, 4483 Duncan Avenue, Mailstop 90-36-697, St. Louis, MO 63110F, United States. Electronic address: Pamela.Newland@bjc.org.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Newland
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Doisy College of Health Sciences, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, United States. Electronic address: jwagne34@slu.edu.
authors.forename: Joanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States. Electronic address: amber@wubios.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salter
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), New Jersey, United States. Electronic address: thomasfp@slu.edu.
authors.forename: Florian P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States. Electronic address: SkubicM@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skubic
authors.affiliation: Curators' Professor Emerita Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States. Electronic address: rantzm@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rantz
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D000072797:Walking Speed / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Falls; Gait; Home monitoring; Multiple sclerosis