Analysis of dual-task elderly gait using wearable plantar-pressure insoles and accelerometer

Dual-task gait allows assessment of impaired executive function and mobility control in older individuals, which are risk factors of falls. This study investigated gait changes in older individuals due to the addition of a cognitive load, using wearable pressure-sensing insole and tri-axial accelerometer measures. These wearable sensors can be applied at the point-of-care. Eleven elderly (65 years or older) individuals walked 7.62 m with and without a verbal fluency cognitive load task while wearing FScan 3000E pressure-sensing insoles in both shoes and a Gulf Coast X16-1C tri-axial accelerometer at the pelvis. Plantar-pressure derived parameters included center of force (CoF) path and temporal measures. Acceleration derived measures were descriptive statistics, Fast Fourier Transform quartile, ratio of even-to-odd harmonics, and maximum Lyapunov exponent. Stride time, stance time, and swing time all significantly increased during dual-task compared to single-task walking. Minimum, mean, and median CoF stance velocity; cadence; and vertical, anterior-posterior, and medial-lateral harmonic ratio all significantly decreased during dual-task walking. Wearable plantar pressure-sensing insole and lower back accelerometer derived-measures can identify gait differences between single-task and dual-task walking in older individuals and could be used in point-of-care environments to assess for deficits in executive function and mobility impairments.