The Use of Embedded IMU Insoles to Assess Gait Parameters: A Validation and Test-Retest Reliability Study

Sensors (Basel). 2023 Sep 28;23(19):8155. doi: 10.3390/s23198155.

Abstract

Wireless wearable insoles are interesting tools to collect gait parameters during daily life activities. However, studies have to be performed specifically for each type of insoles on a big data set to validate the measurement in ecological situations. This study aims to assess the criterion validity and test-retest reliability of gait parameters from wearable insoles compared to motion capture system. Gait of 30 healthy participants was recorded using DSPro® insoles and a motion capture system during overground and treadmill walking at three different speeds. Criterion validity and test-retest reliability of spatio-temporal parameters were estimated with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). For both systems, reliability was found higher than 0.70 for all variables (p < 0.001) except for minimum toe clearance (ICC < 0.50) with motion capture system during overground walking. Regardless of speed and condition of walking, Speed, Cadence, Stride Length, Stride Time and Stance Time variables were validated (ICC > 0.90; p < 0.001). During walking on treadmill, loading time was not validated during slow speed (ICC < 0.70). This study highlights good criterion validity and test-retest reliability of spatiotemporal gait parameters measurement using wearable insoles and opens a new possibility to improve care management of patients using clinical gait analysis in daily life activities.

Keywords: 3D motion analysis; criterion validity; gait analysis; insole; test-retest reliability; validation.

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait Analysis
  • Gait*
  • Humans
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Shoes
  • Walking*

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