Journal of Physical Therapy Science
Online ISSN : 2187-5626
Print ISSN : 0915-5287
ISSN-L : 0915-5287
Original Article
Validity of temporo-spatial characteristics of gait as an index for fall risk screening in community-dwelling older people
Takahiro BabaMasahide WatanabeHirofumi OgiharaShuichi HandaKazuhiro SasamotoShinpei OkadaHiroyasu OkuizumiTeiji Kimura
Author information
JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2023 Volume 35 Issue 3 Pages 265-269

Details
Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to identify kinematic gait indicators for a fall risk screening test through quantitative comparisons of gait characteristics measured using mobile inertial sensors between faller and non-faller groups in a population of community-dwelling older people. [Participants and Methods] We enrolled 50 people aged ≥65 years who used long-term care prevention services, interviewed them to determine their fall history during the past year, and divided them into faller and non-faller groups. Gait parameters (velocity, cadence, stride length, foot height, heel strike angle, ankle joint angle, knee joint angle, and hip joint angle) were assessed using the mobile inertial sensors. [Results] Gait velocity and left and right heel strike angles were significantly lower and smaller, respectively, in the faller versus non-faller group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed areas under the curve of 0.686, 0.722, and 0.691 for gait velocity, left heel strike angle, and right heel strike angle, respectively. [Conclusion] Gait velocity and heel strike angle during gait assessed using mobile inertial sensors may be important kinematic indicators in a fall risk screening test to estimate the likelihood of falls among community-dwelling older people.

Content from these authors
© 2023 by the Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc.

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons [Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International] license.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Previous article Next article
feedback
Top