Wireless ambulatory monitoring system with online periodical gait assessment

This paper presents a wireless gait-monitoring system which periodically examine human gait. It introduces two new methods. The first method is an algorithm that integrates the Multi-Resolution Wavelet Decomposition (MWD) with peak-valley detection algorithm to identify the occurrences of heel-strike and toe-off. The second method is the Coefficient of Determination (CoD). CoD provides a single-value indicator that defines gait normality. In the experimental study, abnormal gait is simulated by placing a load on one limb. Significant differences were found in the temporal parameters, and the orientation of the lower extremity (p < 0.01). These experiments demonstrated the capability of the system in periodically evaluating human gait.