Esser Patrick, Collett Johnny, Maynard Kevin, Steins Dax, Hillier Angela, Buckingham Jodie, Tan Garry D, King Laurie, Dawes Helen
Movement Science Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
Oxford Institute of Nursing & Allied Health Research, Oxford, UK.
Diabetes Metab J. 2018 Feb;42(1):82-86. doi: 10.4093/dmj.2018.42.1.82.
This study explored the potential utility of gait analysis using a single sensor unit (inertial measurement unit [IMU]) as a simple tool to detect peripheral neuropathy in people with diabetes. Seventeen people (14 men) aged 63±9 years (mean±SD) with diabetic peripheral neuropathy performed a 10-m walk test instrumented with an IMU on the lower back. Compared to a reference healthy control data set (matched by gender, age, and body mass index) both spatiotemporal and gait control variables were different between groups, with walking speed, step time, and SDa (gait control parameter) demonstrating good discriminatory power (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve >0.8). These results provide a proof of principle of this relatively simple approach which, when applied in clinical practice, can detect a signal from those with known diabetes peripheral neuropathy. The technology has the potential to be used both routinely in the clinic and for tele-health applications. Further research should focus on investigating its efficacy as an early indicator of or effectiveness of the management of peripheral neuropathy. This could support the development of interventions to prevent complications such as foot ulceration or Charcot's foot.
本研究探讨了使用单一传感器单元（惯性测量单元[IMU]）进行步态分析作为检测糖尿病患者周围神经病变的一种简单工具的潜在效用。17名年龄为63±9岁（均值±标准差）的糖尿病周围神经病变患者（14名男性）进行了一项10米步行测试，在其下背部安装了IMU。与参考健康对照数据集（按性别、年龄和体重指数匹配）相比，两组之间的时空和步态控制变量均存在差异，步行速度、步时和SDa（步态控制参数）显示出良好的辨别能力（曲线下面积>0.8）。这些结果为这种相对简单的方法提供了原理证明，该方法应用于临床实践时，能够从已知患有糖尿病周围神经病变的患者中检测到信号。该技术有潜力在临床常规使用以及远程医疗应用中使用。进一步的研究应侧重于调查其作为周围神经病变管理的早期指标或有效性的功效。这可以支持开发预防足部溃疡或夏科氏足等并发症的干预措施。
