Texting While Walking Induces Gait Pattern Alterations in Healthy Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 1908-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Pau ◽  
Micaela Porta ◽  
Giuseppina Pilloni ◽  
Federica Corona ◽  
Maria Chiara Fastame ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Complexity ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Similar Reduction ◽  
Gait Patterns ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Spatio Temporal

The use of a mobile phone for texting purposes results in distracted walking which may lead to injuries. In particular, texting while walking has been shown to induce significant alterations in gait patterns. This study aimed to assess whether changes in the main spatio-temporal parameters of gait when simultaneously engaged in texting on a smartphone and walking are different in older adults relative to young and middle- aged individuals. A total of 57 participants divided in three groups (19 older adults aged over 65, 19 young aged 20-40 and 19 middle-aged aged 41-64) were tested in two conditions: walking, and walking while texting on a smartphone. Spatio-temporal parameters of gait were assessed using a wearable accelerometer located on the lower back. The results show that texting induced similar reduction of gait speed, stride length and cadence in all groups. Slight (although significant) alterations of stance, swing and double support phases duration were found only for middle-aged participants. Such findings suggest that modifications of gait patterns due to texting seem unaffected by age, probably due to different perceptions of the cognitive complexity of the task and differential prioritization of its motor and cognitive aspects.

scholarly journals Differential associations between dual-task walking abilities and usual gait patterns in healthy older adults—Results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 63-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-uk Ko ◽  
Gerald J. Jerome ◽  
Eleanor M. Simonsick ◽  
Stephanie Studenski ◽  
Jeffrey M. Hausdorff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Gait Patterns ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Baltimore Longitudinal Study

scholarly journals The Effects of Systematic Environmental Manipulation on Gait of Older Adults

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 386
Author(s):  
Max Toepfer ◽  
Alejandra Padilla ◽  
Kevin Ponto ◽  
Andrea H Mason ◽  
Kristen A Pickett
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Gait Patterns ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Single Dimension ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Systematic Manipulation

Quantification of gait changes in response to altered environmental stimuli may allow for improved understanding of the mechanisms that influence gait changes and fall occurrence in older adults. This study explored how systematic manipulation of a single dimension of one’s environment affects spatiotemporal gait parameters. A total of 20 older adult participants walked at a self-selected pace in a constructed research hallway featuring a mobile wall, which allowed manipulation of the hallway width between three conditions: 1.14 m, 1.31 m, and 1.48 m. Spatiotemporal data from participants’ walks were captured using an instrumented GAITRite mat. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed older adults spent significantly more time in double support in the narrowest hallway width compared to the widest, but did not significantly alter other spatiotemporal measures. Small-scale manipulations of a single dimension of the environment led to subtle, yet in some cases significant changes in gait, suggesting that small or even imperceptible environmental changes may contribute to altered gait patterns for older adults.

Nordic Walking Improves Gait Power Profiles at the Knee Joint in Parkinson’s Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhou ◽  
Marie-Anne Gougeon ◽  
Julie Nantel
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Nordic Walking ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Functional Gait ◽  
The Impact

We investigated the impact of Nordic walking (NW) on gait patterns in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) following a 6-week NW familiarization. Twelve participants with PD and 12 healthy older adults took part in a gait analysis walking with and without poles (NP). Results showed larger knee power (knee extensor: K2) on the most affected leg in NW compared to NP (P = .01). On the less affected side, larger power absorption (knee extensor: K3) was found during preswing (K3) compared to older adults in both NP and NW (P = 0.01). NW showed longer stride length and single support time (P < .01) compared to NP. Walking with poles improved gait spatial–temporal characteristics and power profiles at the knee joint both on the less and most affected sides in individuals with PD. NW could be beneficial to help regain a more functional gait pattern in PD.

Abstract TP145: Kinematics of Turning 360 O in Healthy Older Adults and Stroke Survivors

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norah Nyangau ◽  
Rahul Soangra ◽  
Vennila Krishnan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Initial Position ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Community Studies ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Bony Landmarks ◽  
Time Variables

Introduction: The action of turning is used in everyday tasks around the home and in the community. Studies show that stroke affects sensorimotor functionality which can explain the difficulty in turning that stroke patients experience. This study explores an innovative approach to quantifying the kinematic differences in stroke survivors and healthy adults during full 360 o turning. Methods: A total of 28 older adults (age: 68±10 yrs) with 14 stroke survivors (Fugyl-Meyer 23±4) and 14 healthy participants participated in this study. Data collection was performed in the Gait Rehabilitation and Research Lab (GRAIL) with 26 reflective markers placed on lower extremity bony landmarks of all participants. Subjects were instructed to stand at resting positions with each foot on separate force plates. Turning protocol included full 360 o turn back to initial position and the subjects’ were free to choose the side and speed on their own. Results: Marker data from foot were utilized to obtain time variables for each turn which included: Swing/Stance, Turn Cycle, Foot Off and Foot Strike (Left and Right), Single Support (SS) and Double Support (DS). SS time for Stroke participants was significantly higher than the controls (5.49 s versus 3.45s)(p=0.0054). The number of turn cycle was higher post-stroke (5.4 versus 3.3) (p=0.001). The average number of swing and stance durations were higher in stroke individuals (p=0.0004). Conclusion: This is the first study defining turn cycles, stance, swing, and double support time in a turn cycle. This definition of turn cycle is important in understanding stroke turning and its comparison with healthy older adults can provide clinically relevant information for turning in stroke survivors. Turning parameters could be used as biomarkers of rehabilitation among stroke survivors.

scholarly journals Auditory Cue Based on the Golden Ratio Can Improve Gait Patterns in People with Parkinson’s Disease

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 911
Author(s):  
Valeria Belluscio ◽  
Marco Iosa ◽  
Giuseppe Vannozzi ◽  
Stefano Paravati ◽  
Antonella Peppe
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Irrational Number ◽  
Golden Ratio ◽  
Yahr Stage ◽  
Gait Patterns ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Auditory Cue ◽  
Spatio Temporal

The harmonic structure of walking relies on an irrational number called the golden ratio (ϕ): in healthy subjects, it coincides with the stride-to-stance ratio, and it is associated with a smooth gait modality. This smoothness is lost in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), due to deficiencies in the execution of movements. However, external auditory cues seem to facilitate movement, by enabling the timing of muscle activation, and helping in initiating and modulating motor output. Based on a harmonic fractal structure of gait, can the administration of an auditory cue based on individual’s ϕ-rhythm improve, in acute, gait patterns in people with PD? A total of 20 participants (16 males, age 70.9 ± 8.4 years, Hoehn and Yahr stage-II) were assessed through stereophotogrammetry: gait spatio-temporal parameters, and stride-to-stance ratio were computed before, during, and after the ϕ-rhythm administration. Results show improvements in terms of stride length (p = 0.018), walking speed (p = 0.014), and toe clearance (p = 0.013) when comparing gait patterns before and after the stimulus. Furthermore, the stride-to-stance ratio seems to correlate with almost all spatio-temporal parameters, but it shows the main changes in the before–during rhythm comparison. In conclusion, ϕ-rhythm seems an effective cue able to compensate for defective internal rhythm of the basal ganglia in PD.

scholarly journals Reducing the energy cost of walking in older adults using a passive hip flexion device

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fausto A. Panizzolo ◽  
Chiara Bolgiani ◽  
Laura Di Liddo ◽  
Eugenio Annese ◽  
Giuseppe Marcolin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Energy Cost ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Optical Measurement ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Metabolic Power ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Energy Cost Of Walking

Abstract Background Elevated energy cost is a hallmark feature of gait in older adults. As such, older adults display a general avoidance of walking which contributes to declining health status and risk of morbidity. Exoskeletons offer a great potential for lowering the energy cost of walking, however their complexity and cost often limit their use. To overcome some of these issues, in the present work we propose a passive wearable assistive device, namely Exoband, that applies a torque to the hip flexors thus reducing the net metabolic power of wearers. Methods Nine participants (age: 62.1 ± 5.6 yr; height: 1.71 ± 0.05 m; weight: 76.3 ± 11.9 kg) walked on a treadmill at a speed of 1.1 m/s with and without the Exoband. Metabolic power was measured by indirect calorimetry and spatio-temporal parameters measured using an optical measurement system. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded during data collection to monitor relative intensity of the walking trials. Results The Exoband was able to provide a consistent torque (~ 0.03–0.05 Nm/kg of peak torque) to the wearers. When walking with the Exoband, participants displayed a lower net metabolic power with respect to free walking (− 3.3 ± 3.0%; p = 0.02). There were no differences in spatio-temporal parameters or relative intensities when walking with or without the Exoband. Conclusions This study demonstrated that it is possible to reduce metabolic power during walking in older adults with the assistance of a passive device that applies a torque to the hip joint. Wearable, lightweight and low-cost devices such as the Exoband have the potential to make walking less metabolically demanding for older individuals.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Kinematic Adaptations in Parkinson’s Disease Using the Gait Profile Score: Influences of Trunk Posture, a Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1605
Author(s):  
Tauana Callais Franco do Nascimento ◽  
Flavia Martins Gervásio ◽  
Antonia Pignolo ◽  
Guilherme Augusto Santos Bueno ◽  
Aline Araújo do Carmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Trunk Posture ◽  
Spatiotemporal Parameters ◽  
Profile Score ◽  
Trunk Kinematics ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Introduction: Postural abnormalities are common in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and lead to gait abnormalities. Relationships between changes in the trunk posture of PD patients and gait profile score (GPS) and gait spatiotemporal parameters are poorly investigated. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationships between trunk posture, GPS, and gait spatiotemporal parameters, in patients with PD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three people with PD and nineteen age-matched healthy people participated in this study. A 3D gait kinematical analysis was applied to all participants using the Plug-In Gait Full BodyTM tool. Trunk and limb kinematics patterns and gait spatio-temporal parameters of patients with PD and the control group were compared. Additionally, correlations between trunk kinematics patterns, gait spatio-temporal parameters, and GPS of the PD group were tested. Results: Cadence, opposite foot off, step time, single support, double support, foot off, gait speed, trunk kinematics, and GPS showed significant differences between the two groups (p ≤ 0.05). Posture of the trunk during gait was not related to the spatio-temporal parameters and gait profile score in the PD group. The trunk flexor pattern influenced GPS domains, mainly of the ankle and the knee. Discussion and Conclusions: Flexed posture of the trunk in patients with PD seems to influence both ankle and knee movement patterns during the gait. The GPS analysis provided direct and simplified kinematic information for the PD group. These results may have implications for understanding the importance of considering the positioning of the trunk during gait.

scholarly journals Functional Electrical Stimulation for Foot Drop in Post-Stroke People: Quantitative Effects on Step-to-Step Symmetry of Gait Using a Wearable Inertial Sensor

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 921
Author(s):  
Giulia Schifino ◽  
Veronica Cimolin ◽  
Massimiliano Pau ◽  
Maira Jaqueline da Cunha ◽  
Bruno Leban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Inertial Sensor ◽  
Foot Drop ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Gait Patterns ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Acceleration Data ◽  
Trunk Acceleration ◽  
Spatio Temporal

The main purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of foot drop stimulators (FDS) in individuals with stroke by means of spatio-temporal and step-to-step symmetry, harmonic ratio (HR), parameters obtained from trunk accelerations acquired using a wearable inertial sensor. Thirty-two patients (age: 56.84 ± 9.10 years; 68.8% male) underwent an instrumental gait analysis, performed using a wearable inertial sensor before and a day after the 10-session treatment (PRE and POST sessions). The treatment consisted of 10 sessions of 20 min of walking on a treadmill while using the FDS device. The spatio-temporal parameters and the HR in the anteroposterior (AP), vertical (V), and mediolateral (ML) directions were computed from trunk acceleration data. The results showed that time had a significant effect on the spatio-temporal parameters; in particular, a significant increase in gait speed was detected. Regarding the HRs, the HR in the ML direction was found to have significantly increased (+20%), while those in the AP and V directions decreased (approximately 13%). Even if further studies are necessary, from these results, the HR seems to provide additional information on gait patterns with respect to the traditional spatio-temporal parameters, advancing the assessment of the effects of FDS devices in stroke patients.

scholarly journals Walking with rollator: a systematic review of gait parameters in older persons

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Mundt ◽  
Joao Pedro Batista ◽  
Bernd Markert ◽  
Cornelius Bollheimer ◽  
Thea Laurentius
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Gait Mechanics ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract Background The aging population increasingly needs assistive technologies, such as rollators, to function and live less dependently. Rollators are designed to decrease the risk of falls by improving the gait mechanics of their users. However, data on the biomechanics of rollator assisted gait of older adults are limited, or mostly derived from experiments with younger adults. Methods and results This review summarises the data from 18 independent studies on the kinematic and kinetic gait parameters of assisted gait of older persons. All of these studies evaluated spatio-temporal parameters, but not joint angles or moments. Conclusion Due to the limited research on rollator supported gait in older adults, the number of parameters that could be analysed in this systematic review was restricted. Further research in the analysis of spatio-temporal parameters and a higher standardisation in clinical research will be necessary.

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