Gait assessment with solesound instrumented footwear in spinal muscular atrophy. Issue 2 (15th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Montes, Jacqueline; Zanotto, Damiano; Dunaway Young, Sally; Salazar, Rachel; De Vivo, Darryl C.; Agrawal, Sunil
• Is Part Of: Muscle & nerve. Volume 56:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 230
• Page End: 236
• Publication Date: 2017-02-15
• Subjects: 6‐minute walk test -- fatigue -- gait -- Inertial Sensors -- outcome measure -- reliability -- spinal muscular atrophy -- validation -- Wearable Technologies; Neuromuscular diseases -- Periodicals; Muscles -- Periodicals; Nerves -- Periodicals; 616.74
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.25484
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-639X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Gait impairment is common in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and is described using clinical assessments and instrumented walkways. Continuous over‐ground walking has not been studied. Methods: Nine SMA participants completed the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) and 10‐meter walk/run wearing instrumented footwear (SoleSound). Data were simultaneously collected using a reference system (GAITRite). The root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) indicated criterion validity. The decrease in walking speed represented fatigue. Foot loading patterns were evaluated using force sensors. Results: The RMSE for stride time, length, and velocity ranged from 1.3% to 1.7%. Fatigue was 11.6 ± 9.1%, which corresponded to an average deceleration of 0.37 ± 0.28 mm/s 2 . Participants spent most of their stance without heel contact. Forefoot contact occurred early in the gait cycle. Conclusions: These results suggest that footwear‐based devices are an alternative to specialized equipment for gait assessment. Better understanding of gait disturbances should inform ongoing treatment efforts and provide a more sensitive outcome measure. Muscle Nerve 56 : 230–236, 2017