The MS kinect image and depth sensors use for gait features detection

Movement disorders, problems with motion and gait stability related to aging form a very intensively studied research area. The paper presents a contribution to these topics through the use of data acquired by motion sensors and namely image and depth sensors of the MS Kinect. While video sequences obtained by complex camera systems can be used for the precise gait features evaluation, it is possible to use much cheaper devices for diagnostic purposes accurate enough in many cases. The experimental part of the study presents video sequences and depth sensors data acquisition for 18 individuals with the Parkinson´s disease and 18 healthy age-matched controls using the proposed graphical user interface in the clinical environment. Results presented include the estimation of gait features to distinguish gait disorders and to classify individuals in the early stage of possible serious diseases. The accuracy achieved was higher then 90 % for given sets of individuals.