Assessing the impact of gait speed on gait stability using multi-scale entropy fused with plantar pressure signals

Abstract

Introduction: Walking speed can affect gait stability and increase the risk of falling. Methods: In this study, we design a device to measure the distribution of the plantar pressure to investigate the impact of the walking speed on the stability of the human gait and movements of the body. We fused the entropy acquired at multiple scales with signals of the plantar pressure to evaluate the effects of the walking speed on the stability of the human gait. We simultaneously collected data on the motion-induced pressure from eight plantar regions to obtain the fused regional pressure. To verify their accuracy, we obtained data on the plantar pressure during walking by using the force table of the Qualisys system. We then extracted the peak points and intervals of the human stride from pressure signals fused over three regions, and analyzed the mechanics of their regional fusion by using the regional amplitude-pressure ratio to obtain the distribution of the plantar pressure at an asynchronous walking speed. Furthermore, we introduced multi-scale entropy to quantify the complexity of the gait and evaluate its stability at different walking speeds. Results: The results of experiments showed that increasing the speed from 2 to 6 km/h decreased the stability of the gait, with a 26.7% increase in the amplitude of pressure in the region of the forefoot. The hindfoot and forefoot regions were subjected to the minimal pressure at a speed of 2 km/h, while the most consistent stress was observed in regions of the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. Moreover, the curve of entropy at a speed of 2 km/h exhibited a slow decline at a small scale and high stability at a large scale. Discussion: The multi-scale entropy increased the variation in the stability of the synchronous velocity of walking compared with the sample entropy and the analysis of regional fusion mechanics. Multi-scale entropy can thus be used to qualitatively assess the relationship between the speed and stability of the gait, and to identify the most stable gait speed that can ensure gait stability and posture control.

Keywords: distribution of the plantar pressure; gait stability; multi-scale entropy; regional fusion pressure; walking speed.