Article

Gait retraining programs are prescribed to assist in the rehabilitation process
of many clinical conditions.
Using lateral trunk lean modification as the model,
the aim of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of kinematic data
recorded using a marker-based 3D motion analysis (3DMA) system and a low-cost
alternative, the Microsoft Kinect (Kinect), during a gait retraining session.
Twenty healthy adults were trained to modify their gait to obtain a lateral trunk
lean angle of 10 degrees . Real-time biofeedback of the lateral trunk lean angle
was provided on a computer screen in front of the subject using data extracted
from the Kinect skeletal tracking algorithm. Marker coordinate data were
concurrently recorded using the 3DMA system, and the similarity and equivalency
of the trunk lean angle data from each system were compared. The lateral trunk
lean angle data obtained from the Kinect system without any form of calibration
resulted in errors of a high (>2 degrees ) magnitude (mean error=3.2+/-2.2
degrees ). Performing global and individualized calibration significantly
(P<0.001) improved this error to 1.7+/-1.5 degrees and 0.8+/-0.8 degrees
respectively. With the addition of a simple calibration the anatomical position
coordinates of the Kinect can be used to create a real-time biofeedback system
for gait retraining. Given that this system is low-cost, portable and does not
require any sensors to be attached to the body, it could provide numerous
advantages when compared to laboratory-based gait retraining systems.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS