Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Mar 27, 2024
Date Accepted: Apr 23, 2025
Gait Disturbances in Older Adults with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: A Mixed Methods Study Using Smartphone Sensors and Video Analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) significantly impacts motor functions, particularly gait dynamics, yet its analysis often lacks the integration of comprehensive tools that capture the multifaceted nature of gait disturbances. Traditional methods may not fully address the complexity of CSVD's impact on gait, underscoring the need for a detailed exploration of gait characteristics through advanced technological means.
Objective:
This study aims to elucidate the distinct gait patterns and postural adaptations present in patients with CSVD compared to a healthy older population, employing an integrative analysis combining sensor and video data to provide a holistic understanding of gait dynamics in CSVD.
Methods:
The study involved 90 participants over 50 years old, with 24 categorized as normal and 66 diagnosed with CSVD. Gait parameters were collected through accelerometer data for sensor-based parameters and video data for image posture parameters. Key statistical measures included step frequency, root mean square (RMS), step variability, step regularity, and step symmetry from sensor data; and knee angle, ankle angle, elbow angle, body trunk angles, and head posture from video analysis
Results:
Among the 29 participants with complete sensor and video data, significant differences were observed in step regularity (P value < .0045), RMS (P value < .0056 for certain walking tasks), and forward head posture angles between the CSVD and control groups, indicating altered gait dynamics in CSVD patients. Notably, the CSVD group exhibited a more pronounced forward head posture during walking tasks, suggesting potential balance or proprioceptive adaptations.
Conclusions:
The study provides compelling evidence of distinct gait disturbances in CSVD patients, highlighted by significant postural deviations and altered gait patterns when compared to healthy controls. The integration of sensor and video analysis offers a nuanced understanding of CSVD’s impact on gait, underscoring the value of comprehensive assessment tools in capturing the complex nature of gait disturbances.
Citation
The author of this paper has made a PDF available, but requires the user to login, or create an account.
Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.