Proposed objective scoring algorithm for clinical evaluation of walking asymmetry in lumbar disc herniation, based on relevant gait metrics from wearable devices: The Gait Symmetry Index (GSiTM) - Observational study

Pragadesh Natarajan; R Dineth Fonseka; Luke Sy; Ralph Jasper Mobbs; Monish Maharaj

doi:10.1016/j.bas.2022.100895

Proposed objective scoring algorithm for clinical evaluation of walking asymmetry in lumbar disc herniation, based on relevant gait metrics from wearable devices: The Gait Symmetry Index (GSiTM) - Observational study

Brain Spine. 2022 May 7:2:100895. doi: 10.1016/j.bas.2022.100895. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Pragadesh Natarajan^{1

2

3

4}, R Dineth Fonseka^{1

2

3

4}, Luke Sy^{1

5}, Ralph Jasper Mobbs^{1

2

3

4}, Monish Maharaj^{1

2

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Wearables and Gait Assessment Research Group (WAGAR), Sydney, Australia.
² NeuroSpine Surgery Research Group (NSURG), Sydney, Australia.
³ Neuro Spine Clinic, Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Randwick, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia.
⁵ School of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia.

Abstract

•The proposed GSi algorithm aims to objectively evaluate the walking impairment associated with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).•GSi is calculated as deviation from mean (age-matched) normative values for gait velocity, step time asymmetry and step length asymmetry.•Clinical performance was assessed in a prospective, single surgeon series of 33 lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients.•GSi was lower in LDH participants with significant distribution between surgical and conservative management subgroups.