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Validity and Reliability of Gait and Postural Control Analysis Using the Tri-axial Accelerometer of the iPod Touch

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Abstract

Accelerometer-based assessments can identify elderly with an increased fall risk and monitor interventions. Smart devices, like the iPod Touch, with built-in accelerometers are promising for clinical gait and posture assessments due to easy use and cost-effectiveness. The aim of the present study was to establish the validity and reliability of the iPod Touch for gait and posture assessment. Sixty healthy participants (aged 18–75 years) were measured with an iPod Touch and stand-alone accelerometer while they walked under single- and dual-task conditions, and while standing in parallel and semi-tandem stance with eyes open, eyes closed and when performing a dual task. Cross-correlation values (CCV) showed high correspondence of anterior–posterior and medio-lateral signal patterns (CCV’s ≥ 0.88). Validity of gait parameters (foot contacts, index of harmonicity, and amplitude variability) and standing posture parameters [root mean square of accelerations, median power frequency (MPF) and sway area] as indicated by intra-class correlation (ICC) was high (ICC = 0.85–0.99) and test–retest reliability was good (ICC = 0.81–0.97), except for MPF (ICC = 0.59–0.87). Overall, the iPod Touch obtained valid and reliable measures of gait and postural control in healthy adults of all ages under different conditions. Additionally, smart devices have the potential to be used for clinical gait and posture assessments.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Kees Hoogendijk for developing the data collection and storage app on the iPod, and Esther du Pre and Yvonne Dikkema for their help in collecting the data. The project was financed by the Institut Universitair de France and Investments for the Future IRT NanoElec. We certify that the studies sponsors had no involvement in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no proprietary, financial, professional, or other personal competing interests of any nature or kind.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Nienke M. Kosse, Simone Caljouw, Danique Vervoort & Claudine J. C. Lamoth

  2. FRE 3405 AGIM Laboratory, CNRS-UJF-UPMF-EPHE, Univ. Grenoble-Alpes, La Tronche, France

    Nienke M. Kosse & Nicolas Vuillerme

  3. Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France

    Nicolas Vuillerme

Authors
  1. Nienke M. Kosse
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  2. Simone Caljouw
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  3. Danique Vervoort
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  4. Nicolas Vuillerme
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  5. Claudine J. C. Lamoth
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Correspondence to Nienke M. Kosse.

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Associate Editor Tingrui Pan oversaw the review of this article.

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Kosse, N.M., Caljouw, S., Vervoort, D. et al. Validity and Reliability of Gait and Postural Control Analysis Using the Tri-axial Accelerometer of the iPod Touch. Ann Biomed Eng 43, 1935–1946 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-014-1232-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-014-1232-0

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