Department of Physical Therapy, Fukushima Medical University School of Health Sciences, 10-6 Sakae-machi, Fukushima 960-8516, Fukushima, Japan.
Department of Occupational Therapy, Fukushima Medical University School of Health Sciences, 10-6 Sakae-machi, Fukushima 960-8516, Fukushima, Japan.
Sensors (Basel). 2024 Aug 4;24(15):5054. doi: 10.3390/s24155054.
Clinical walk tests may not predict the development of frailty in healthy older adults. With advancements in wearable technology, it may be possible to predict the development of frailty using loading asymmetry parameters during clinical walk tests. This prospective cohort study aimed to test the hypothesis that increased limb loading asymmetry predicts frailty risk in community-living older adults. Sixty-three independently ambulant community-living adults aged ≥ 65 years were recruited, and forty-seven subjects completed the ten-month follow-up after baseline. Loading asymmetry index of net and regional (forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot) plantar forces were collected using force sensing insoles during a 10 m walk test with their maximum speed. Development of frailty was defined if the participant progressed from baseline at least one grading group of frailty at the follow-up period using the Kihon Checklist. Fourteen subjects developed frailty during the follow-up period. Increased risk of frailty was associated with each 1% increase in loading asymmetry of net impulse (Odds ratio 1.153, 95%CI 1.001 to 1.329). Net impulse asymmetry significantly correlated with asymmetry of peak force in midfoot force. These results indicate the feasibility of measuring plantar forces of gait during clinical walking tests and underscore the potential of using load asymmetry as a tool to augment frailty risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults.
临床步行测试可能无法预测健康老年人的虚弱发展。随着可穿戴技术的进步，使用临床步行测试中负荷不对称参数可能可以预测虚弱的发展。这项前瞻性队列研究旨在检验以下假设：肢体负荷不对称增加可预测社区居住的老年人的虚弱风险。招募了 63 名独立行走的社区居住的 65 岁及以上老年人，其中 47 名受试者在基线后完成了为期 10 个月的随访。在最大速度下进行 10 米步行测试时，使用力感应鞋垫收集净和区域（前足、中足和后足）足底力的负荷不对称指数。如果参与者在随访期间从基线至少进展一级虚弱等级，则定义为发生虚弱。共有 14 名受试者在随访期间出现虚弱。与净冲量负荷不对称增加 1%相关的虚弱风险增加（优势比 1.153，95%置信区间 1.001 至 1.329）。净冲量不对称与中足力的峰值力不对称显著相关。这些结果表明在临床步行测试中测量步态足底力是可行的，并强调了使用负荷不对称作为工具来增强社区居住的老年人虚弱风险评估的潜力。
