Benchmarking between two wearable inertial systems for gait analysis based on a different sensor placement using several statistical approaches

Despite the growing use of different wearable inertial systems for gait analysis in clinical setting, also based on a different sensor placement, there is still a lack of knowledge about the agreement between them and their repeatability. The purpose of this study is to investigate the agreement between two commercial wearable inertial systems for gait analysis: Opal and G-Walk Systems, and their repeatability. Fifty-three subjects, healthy and pathological, underwent a gait analysis session instrumented by both systems, seven spatiotemporal parameters were recorded. The study of agreement was carried out through Bland-Altman Analysis, Passing-Bablok regression and Paired t-test, the study of repeatability through the intra class correlation coefficient ICC(3,1). Study results showed a not perfect agreement between the two systems although they both showed good repeatability. This work underlines the importance to perform a study of agreement before using devices interchangeably or even as a replacement in order to have reliable measurements.

Automated summary

The study investigated the agreement and repeatability between two commercial wearable inertial systems for gait analysis, finding some differences in their agreement but both showing good repeatability. It emphasizes the importance of conducting an agreement study before interchangeably using devices to ensure reliable measurements.