JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Early mobilization and mobility are essential components of the recovery process following surgery and trauma-related hospitalization. In addition to personalized support from physiotherapists and healthcare professionals, assistive devices such as walkers play a crucial role in facilitating safe and effective mobility.

Objective:

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the literature on the design, sensor technologies, and functional applications of smart walkers, and to assess the extent to which existing studies reflect clinical use cases.

Methods:

Peer-reviewed English articles published between 2015 and 2024 were identified by searching PubMed, CINAHL, SSCI, and IEEE focusing on the topic of smart walkers. Secondary analyses and walkers with two wheels or fewer are excluded in abstract screening. Study screening and selection were performed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping research and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The Rayyan systematic review management software was employed for study selection. The articles included were analyzed with respect to the sensor technologies employed, their functional capabilities, and their application scenarios.

Results:

Of the 800 articles screened, 44 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of these articles were case reports (80%) and laboratory-based investigations (62%). Most studies evaluated smart walkers in asymptomatic populations (66,7%), with approximately half involving young adults (48,9%). Among the sensor modalities reported, camera- and LiDAR-based sensors were most prevalent (50%). LiDAR-based sensors can be categorized according to their primary functions: gait analysis (n=11), collision detection (n=9), and navigation (n=5). Load sensors (39%) and ultrasonic sensors (30%) are among the most frequently cited sensor modalities in the literature. Load sensors, also known as force sensors, are integrated into the handlebars, frame, forearm supports, or chest pads of smart walkers. These sensors measure the user's load, providing essential data for calculating body weight support or inferring the user's intention to move.

Conclusions:

This review indicates a substantial variety of sensor types and functional applications in smart walkers and is predominantly limited to investigations in asymptomatic and young populations in laboratory settings. The development of smart walkers tailored to address the specific needs of older adults within clinical settings holds significant potential for enhancing mobility and mobility analysis. Clinical Trial: Open Science Framework Platform (OSF, register number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/CTPF4)