Validity of gait assessment using inertial sensors in patients after total knee arthroplasty

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K21522
• Project/Area Number (Other): 18H06452 (2018)
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund (2019); Single-year Grants (2018)
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Konan Women's University
• Principal Investigator: Misu Shogo 甲南女子大学, 看護リハビリテーション学部, 助教 (20824105)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-08-24 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 歩行 / 人工膝関節全置換術 / 小型センサ / 加速度 / 妥当性 / 変形性膝関節症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of gait parameters derived from acceleration data measured by inertial sensors in patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients after TKA (n = 20) walked at preferred speed along a walkway 15m in length, attached inertial sensors to the heel in the operated side and the level of the L3 spinous process. We found that coefficient of variability of swing time was significantly associated with knee extension torque and knee pain in the operated side. Step symmetry index calculated from autocorrelation coefficients of acceleration in lower trunk were significantly associated with function in activity of daily living. These results suggested that coefficient of variability of swing time and step symmetry index were useful parameters as rehabilitation outcome in patients after TKA.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

小型センサは、据え置き型の解析装置よりも安価で可搬性に優れるため臨床応用性が高い。本研究のサンプルサイズは小さいため結果を一般化するには注意が必要だが、小型センサから得られる歩行指標がTKA術後の臨床的なアウトカムと関連していたことは重要な知見である。
本研究結果は、リハビリテーション場面において小型センサによる客観的な歩行評価を推進することにつながる。データを蓄積していくことで、TKA術後患者の効果的なリハビリテーションについて科学的に検証し、根拠のあるリハビリテーションを提示できるようになる点で意義が高いと考える。