Continuous In-Home Gait Analysis Using FMCW Radar in Naturalistic Environments

Gait analysis is one of the most useful predictors of disease in older adults, but it is not always practical for physicians to monitor. This article aimed to create a system that could continuously and reliably monitor gait patterns of varying step lengths and speeds in cluttered environments, enabling around-the-clock monitoring in personal living spaces. This novel study uses multiple input multiple output frequency-modulated continuous-wave (MIMO FMCW) radar to track nonlinear movement in cluttered environments designed to replicate a living space in a home. A subjects tracker and association (STA) algorithm was proposed to distinguish direct signals with multipath effects and remove ghost signals created by clutter. Six participants were instructed to walk along designated paths with varied step lengths (30, 60, and 80 cm), and our findings supported the system’s ability to capture walking speed, step count, and step length. The system was successful in accurately tracking gait parameters in naturalistic settings, offering a potential solution to autonomous, continuous in-home gait analysis.