Feasibility of wearable technology for 'real-world' gait analysis in children with Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes

Abstract

Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS) are neurodevelopmental disorders in need of innovative 'real-world' outcome measures to evaluate treatment effects. Instrumented gait analysis (IGA) using wearable technology offers a potentially feasible solution to measure "real-world' neurological and motor dysfunction in these groups.

Methods: Children (50% female; 6-16 years) diagnosed with PWS (n = 9) and AS (n = 5) completed 'real-world' IGA assessments using the Physilog®5 wearable. PWS participants completed a laboratory assessment and a 'real-world' long walk. The AS group completed 'real-world' caregiver-assisted assessments. Mean and variability results for stride time, cadence, stance percentage (%) and stride length were extracted and compared across three different data reduction protocols.

Results: The wearables approach was found to be feasible, with all participants able to complete at least one assessment. This study also demonstrated significant agreement, using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), between laboratory and 'real-world' assessments in the PWS group for mean stride length, mean stance % and stance % CV (n = 7, CCC: 0.782-0.847, P = 0.011-0.009).

Conclusion: 'Real-world' gait analysis using the Physilog®5 wearable was feasible to efficiently assess neurological and motor dysfunction in children affected with PWS and AS.

Keywords: Angelman syndrome; Prader-Willi syndrome; gait analysis; inertial sensors; motor dysfunction; neurological dysfunction.