Gait event detection using kinematic data in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

Background Ground reaction forces are the gold standard for detecting gait events, but they are not always applicable in cerebral palsy. Ghoussayni's algorithm is an event detection method based on the sagittal plane velocity of heel and toe markers. We aimed to evaluate whether Ghoussayni'...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Gómez-Pérez, Cristina, Martori, Joan Carles, Puig-Diví, Albert, Medina Casanovas, Josep, Vidal Samsó, Joan, Font Llagunes, Josep Maria
Format: article
Publication Date:2021
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Ramon Llull (URL)
Repository:DAU Arxiu Digital de la Universitat Ramon Llull
OAI Identifier:oai:dau.url.edu:20.500.14342/3564
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14342/3564
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105492
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Locomoció humana -- Avaluació
Infants paralítics cerebrals
Cinemàtica
Motricitat en els infants
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616.8
Description
Summary:Background Ground reaction forces are the gold standard for detecting gait events, but they are not always applicable in cerebral palsy. Ghoussayni's algorithm is an event detection method based on the sagittal plane velocity of heel and toe markers. We aimed to evaluate whether Ghoussayni's algorithm, using two different thresholds, was a valid event detection method in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. We also aimed to define a new adaptation of Ghoussayni's algorithm for detecting foot strike in cerebral palsy, and study the effect of event detection methods on spatiotemporal parameters. Methods Synchronized kinematic and kinetic data were collected retrospectively from 16 children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (7 males and 9 females; age 8.9 ± 2.7 years) walking barefoot at self-selected speed. Gait events were detected using methods: 1) ground reaction forces, 2) Ghoussayni's algorithm with a threshold of 0.5 m/s, and 3) Ghoussayni's algorithm with a walking speed dependent threshold. The new adaptation distinguished how foot strikes were performed (heel and/or toe) comparing the timing when the foot markers velocities fell below the threshold. Differences between the three methods, and between spatiotemporal parameters calculated from the two Ghoussayni's thresholds were analyzed. Findings There were statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences between methods 1 and 3, and between some spatiotemporal parameters calculated from methods 2 and 3. Ghoussayni's algorithm showed better performance for foot strike than for toe off. Interpretation Ghoussayni's algorithm using 0.5 m/s is valid in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Event detection methods affect spatiotemporal parameters.