Video Analysis of Human Gait: Advantages and Disadvantages in Neurological Diagnostics

This article considers the possibility of clinical evaluation of gait parameters via application of a non-contact method: human movement video analysis. Patterns of gait impairment against the background of central nervous system pathology vary. We made an attempt to determine clinical features of gait impairment against the background of ataxia, hemiparetic gait and Parkinson's disease (PD). The study involved application of Vicon Motion Capture Systems. Tempo-rhythmic characteristics of gait during the stride were determined, the data on angular indices of lower extremity movement in hip, knee and ankle joints were obtained. General changes in the gait parameters in all patients were found: decrease in the gait tempo, gait velocity, the length of the stride and the step, increase in the time of the stride and the step. Among the technical advantages of the method is the possibility of separate assessment of tempo-rhythmic indices for the right and the left lower limbs. Very frequently, pathological changes in PD, the syndrome of central hemiparesis and ataxia only affect one half of the body. This let us objectively evaluate the degree of asymmetry during movement. The following peculiarities were revealed: the left-sided hemiataxia patient demonstrated a later lift of the intact foot from the support surface. The patient with right-sided hemiparesis showed increased time of single support on the paretic right limb. The patient with PD stage 3.0 according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale was observed to have bilateral symptoms, but with certain asymmetry of the right-sided manifestations. Analysis of angular parameters of gait in patients with neurological pathology revealed asymmetry of flexion/extension in the hip, knee and ankle joints in comparison with a healthy person. As a result of the study, peculiarities in gait stereotype alteration against the background of neurological syndromes have been determined. We recommend application of the method of three-dimensional video analysis of movements in expert assessment of gait function impairment.