A Wearable Device Of Gait Tracking For Parkinson’S Disease Patients

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by gait disorders such as walking with a stoop, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, and poor sense of balance. Patients with mild gait disorders tend to shuffle and have difficulties in lifting their feet when walking. Moreover, PD patients walk with nearly absence of arm swinging; hence, their gait lacks coordination between the legs and arms. By contrast, severe gait disorders are characterized by scurrying forward, often falls, unable to walk and stand, as well as difficulties in turning or crossing a threshold [1] [2]. Furthermore, overdose of the PD drugs can cause mental impairment, movement fluctuation, and orthostatic hypotension, whereas inadequate dose has limited effectiveness [2] [3]. This study proposed a wearable device evaluating Parkinsonian gait and the wearers’ gait over an extended period is analyzed. By using the device, the examiner can convert plantar pressure and postural sway data into statistical charts for the physician to determine whether the wearers’ gait is in a normal orParkinsonian gait. Subsequently, the results can provide information for the physician about medication modification to improve the functional status of the patient.