One's risk of fall can be quantified in terms of variability in one's gait, reflecting a loss of automatic rhythm of one's gait. In gait analysis, variability is commonly understood in terms of the fluctuation in the kinematic, kinetic, spatio-temporal, or physiological information. Here, we have focused on the estimation of knee joint angle (kinematic variable) synchronized with some of the kinetic and spatio-temporal gait parameters while an individual walked overground. Our system consisted of a pair of shoes with instrumented insoles and knee flexion/extension recorder unit having bend sensors. In addition, we have used the Coefficient of Variation for estimating the variability in the knee flexion/extension angle while walking overground as an indicator of the risk of fall. A study with healthy individuals (young and old) walking overground on pathways having 0 and 180 turning angles indicated the feasibility of our wearable system to compute the variability in knee flexion/extension angle as an indicator of the risk of fall.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/EMBC46164.2021.9629940 | DOI Listing |
Brain Sci
December 2024
Department of Anatomical and Histological Sciences, Legal Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability. These symptoms often lead to significant postural deformities and an increased risk of falls, severely impacting the quality of life. Conventional rehabilitation methods have shown benefits, but recent advancements suggest that virtual reality (VR) could offer a promising alternative.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Prev Cardiol
December 2024
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Objectives: In observational studies, older adults with low serum vitamin D levels are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but randomized trials have failed to demonstrate reduction in CVD risk from vitamin D supplementation, possibly because the doses of vitamin D supplements tested were too low. Our objective was to determine if higher doses of vitamin D supplementation reduce high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnI) and N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), markers of subclinical CVD.
Methods: The Study to Understand Fall Reduction and Vitamin D in You (STURDY) was a double-blind, randomized, response-adaptive trial that tested the effects of 4 doses of vitamin D3 supplementation (200, 1000, 2000, 4000 IU/day) on fall risk among older adults with low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (10-29 ng/mL).
Support Care Cancer
January 2025
Department of Nursing, Nanfang Hosptial of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Purpose: Our study aim was to understand the (human and organizational) factors influencing fall risk among people with hematological malignancies using the Reason model as a framework, providing insights that can inform the development of safe and effective fall management strategies.
Methods: Purposive sampling was employed to conduct semi-structured interviews with 13 people with hematological malignancies and 12 nurses from the hematology department of a tertiary grade A hospital in Guangzhou from December 2023 to February 2024. The topic analysis method was utilized to analyze the interview data.
Gait Posture
January 2025
School of Psychology, David Keir Building, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. Electronic address:
Background: Postural instability is common in people with Parkinson's Disease (PwPD), increasing their risk of injurious falls. Evidence suggests a sensory reweighting deficit in PwPD, along with compensatory muscle co-contraction in response to postural challenges. During balance tasks requiring sensory reweighting, older adults exhibit elevated postural sway and muscle co-contraction, as well as longer perceptual delays, compared to young adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Funct Morphol Kinesiol
January 2025
Translational Research Unit, Trainfes Center, Santiago 8760903, Chile.
Background: Rehabilitation is a critical process for enhancing functionality, independence, and quality of life in individuals with disabilities. Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, it addresses physical, emotional, and social dimensions through personalized, evidence-based interventions. By integrating standardized assessments and continuous evaluation, rehabilitation has the potential to promote recovery and support active participation in society.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!