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Rossetto F, Mestanza Mattos FG, Gervasoni E, Germanotta M, Pavan A, Cattaneo D, Aprile I, Baglio F. Efficacy of telerehabilitation with digital and robotic tools for the continuity of care of people with chronic neurological disorders: The TELENEURO@REHAB protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Digit Health 2024; 10:20552076241228928. [PMID: 38465294 PMCID: PMC10924562 DOI: 10.1177/20552076241228928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Context Chronic Neurological Disorders (CNDs) are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, and their contribution to the overall need for rehabilitation is increasing. Therefore, the identification of new digital solutions to ensure early and continuous care is mandatory. Objective This protocol proposes to test the usability, acceptability, safety, and efficacy of Telerehabilitation (TR) protocols with digital and robotic tools in reducing the perceived level of disability in CNDs including Parkinson's Disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and post-stroke patients. Design Setting and Subjects This single-blinded, multi-site, randomized, two-treatment arms controlled clinical trial will involve PD (N = 30), MS (N = 30), and post-stroke (N = 30). Each participant will be randomized (1:1) to the experimental group (20 sessions of motor telerehabilitation with digital and robotic tools) or the active control group (20 home-based motor rehabilitation sessions according to the usual care treatment). Primary and secondary outcome measures will be obtained at the baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1, 5 weeks after baseline), and at follow-up (T2, 2 months after treatment). Main Outcome Measures a multifaceted evaluation including quality of life, motor, and clinical/functional measures will be conducted at each time-point of assessment. The primary outcome measures will be the change in the perceived level of disability as measured by the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Conclusion The implementation of TR protocols will enable a more targeted and effective response to the growing need for rehabilitation linked to CNDs, ensuring accessibility to rehabilitation services from the initial stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elisa Gervasoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan-Florence, Italy
| | | | - Arianna Pavan
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan-Florence, Italy
| | - Davide Cattaneo
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan-Florence, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Aprile
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan-Florence, Italy
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Woelfle T, Bourguignon L, Lorscheider J, Kappos L, Naegelin Y, Jutzeler CR. Wearable Sensor Technologies to Assess Motor Functions in People With Multiple Sclerosis: Systematic Scoping Review and Perspective. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e44428. [PMID: 37498655 PMCID: PMC10415952 DOI: 10.2196/44428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wearable sensor technologies have the potential to improve monitoring in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and inform timely disease management decisions. Evidence of the utility of wearable sensor technologies in people with MS is accumulating but is generally limited to specific subgroups of patients, clinical or laboratory settings, and functional domains. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all studies that have used wearable sensors to assess, monitor, and quantify motor function in people with MS during daily activities or in a controlled laboratory setting and to shed light on the technological advances over the past decades. METHODS We systematically reviewed studies on wearable sensors to assess the motor performance of people with MS. We scanned PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases until December 31, 2022, considering search terms "multiple sclerosis" and those associated with wearable technologies and included all studies assessing motor functions. The types of results from relevant studies were systematically mapped into 9 predefined categories (association with clinical scores or other measures; test-retest reliability; group differences, 3 types; responsiveness to change or intervention; and acceptability to study participants), and the reporting quality was determined through 9 questions. We followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) reporting guidelines. RESULTS Of the 1251 identified publications, 308 were included: 176 (57.1%) in a real-world context, 107 (34.7%) in a laboratory context, and 25 (8.1%) in a mixed context. Most publications studied physical activity (196/308, 63.6%), followed by gait (81/308, 26.3%), dexterity or tremor (38/308, 12.3%), and balance (34/308, 11%). In the laboratory setting, outcome measures included (in addition to clinical severity scores) 2- and 6-minute walking tests, timed 25-foot walking test, timed up and go, stair climbing, balance tests, and finger-to-nose test, among others. The most popular anatomical landmarks for wearable placement were the waist, wrist, and lower back. Triaxial accelerometers were most commonly used (229/308, 74.4%). A surge in the number of sensors embedded in smartphones and smartwatches has been observed. Overall, the reporting quality was good. CONCLUSIONS Continuous monitoring with wearable sensors could optimize the management of people with MS, but some hurdles still exist to full clinical adoption of digital monitoring. Despite a possible publication bias and vast heterogeneity in the outcomes reported, our review provides an overview of the current literature on wearable sensor technologies used for people with MS and highlights shortcomings, such as the lack of harmonization, transparency in reporting methods and results, and limited data availability for the research community. These limitations need to be addressed for the growing implementation of wearable sensor technologies in clinical routine and clinical trials, which is of utmost importance for further progress in clinical research and daily management of people with MS. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42021243249; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=243249.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Woelfle
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lucie Bourguignon
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Lorscheider
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ludwig Kappos
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yvonne Naegelin
- Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Liuzzi P, Carpinella I, Anastasi D, Gervasoni E, Lencioni T, Bertoni R, Carrozza MC, Cattaneo D, Ferrarin M, Mannini A. Machine learning based estimation of dynamic balance and gait adaptability in persons with neurological diseases using inertial sensors. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8640. [PMID: 37244933 PMCID: PMC10224964 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35744-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor dynamic balance and impaired gait adaptation to different contexts are hallmarks of people with neurological disorders (PwND), leading to difficulties in daily life and increased fall risk. Frequent assessment of dynamic balance and gait adaptability is therefore essential for monitoring the evolution of these impairments and/or the long-term effects of rehabilitation. The modified dynamic gait index (mDGI) is a validated clinical test specifically devoted to evaluating gait facets in clinical settings under a physiotherapist's supervision. The need of a clinical environment, consequently, limits the number of assessments. Wearable sensors are increasingly used to measure balance and locomotion in real-world contexts and may permit an increase in monitoring frequency. This study aims to provide a preliminary test of this opportunity by using nested cross-validated machine learning regressors to predict the mDGI scores of 95 PwND via inertial signals collected from short steady-state walking bouts derived from the 6-minute walk test. Four different models were compared, one for each pathology (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke) and one for the pooled multipathological cohort. Model explanations were computed on the best-performing solution; the model trained on the multipathological cohort yielded a median (interquartile range) absolute test error of 3.58 (5.38) points. In total, 76% of the predictions were within the mDGI's minimal detectable change of 5 points. These results confirm that steady-state walking measurements provide information about dynamic balance and gait adaptability and can help clinicians identify important features to improve upon during rehabilitation. Future developments will include training of the method using short steady-state walking bouts in real-world settings, analysing the feasibility of this solution to intensify performance monitoring, providing prompt detection of worsening/improvements, and complementing clinical assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piergiuseppe Liuzzi
- AIRLab, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 50143, Florence, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Istituto di BioRobotica, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Ilaria Carpinella
- LAMoBIR and LaRiCE, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148, Milan, Italy.
| | - Denise Anastasi
- LAMoBIR and LaRiCE, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Gervasoni
- LAMoBIR and LaRiCE, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Lencioni
- LAMoBIR and LaRiCE, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148, Milan, Italy
| | - Rita Bertoni
- LAMoBIR and LaRiCE, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Davide Cattaneo
- LAMoBIR and LaRiCE, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Medico-Chirurgica e dei Trapianti, Università di Milano, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ferrarin
- LAMoBIR and LaRiCE, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 20148, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Mannini
- AIRLab, IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, 50143, Florence, Italy
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Corsi L, Liuzzi P, Ballanti S, Scarpino M, Maiorelli A, Sterpu R, Macchi C, Cecchi F, Hakiki B, Grippo A, Lanatà A, Carrozza MC, Bocchi L, Mannini A. EEG asymmetry detection in patients with severe acquired brain injuries via machine learning methods. Biomed Signal Process Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2022.104260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Carpinella I, Anastasi D, Gervasoni E, Di Giovanni R, Tacchino A, Brichetto G, Confalonieri P, Rovaris M, Solaro C, Ferrarin M, Cattaneo D. Balance Impairments in People with Early-Stage Multiple Sclerosis: Boosting the Integration of Instrumented Assessment in Clinical Practice. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:9558. [PMID: 36502265 PMCID: PMC9736931 DOI: 10.3390/s22239558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The balance of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is commonly assessed during neurological examinations through clinical Romberg and tandem gait tests that are often not sensitive enough to unravel subtle deficits in early-stage PwMS. Inertial sensors (IMUs) could overcome this drawback. Nevertheless, IMUs are not yet fully integrated into clinical practice due to issues including the difficulty to understand/interpret the big number of parameters provided and the lack of cut-off values to identify possible abnormalities. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, an instrumented modified Romberg test (ImRomberg: standing on foam with eyes closed while wearing an IMU on the trunk) was administered to 81 early-stage PwMS and 38 healthy subjects (HS). To facilitate clinical interpretation, 21 IMU-based parameters were computed and reduced through principal component analysis into two components, sway complexity and sway intensity, descriptive of independent aspects of balance, presenting a clear clinical meaning and significant correlations with at least one clinical scale. Compared to HS, early-stage PwMS showed a 228% reduction in sway complexity and a 63% increase in sway intensity, indicating, respectively, a less automatic (more conscious) balance control and larger and faster trunk movements during upright posture. Cut-off values were derived to identify the presence of balance abnormalities and if these abnormalities are clinically meaningful. By applying these thresholds and integrating the ImRomberg test with the clinical tandem gait test, balance impairments were identified in 58% of PwMS versus the 17% detected by traditional Romberg and tandem gait tests. The higher sensitivity of the proposed approach would allow for the direct identification of early-stage PwMS who could benefit from preventive rehabilitation interventions aimed at slowing MS-related functional decline during neurological examinations and with minimal modifications to the tests commonly performed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise Anastasi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Gervasoni
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Rachele Di Giovanni
- Department of Rehabilitation, Centro di Recupero e Rieducazione Funzionale (CRRF) “Mons. Luigi Novarese”, 13040 Moncrivello, Italy
| | - Andrea Tacchino
- Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Scientific Research Area, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Brichetto
- Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Scientific Research Area, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Confalonieri
- IRCCS Foundation “Carlo Besta” Neurological Institute, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Rovaris
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, 20148 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Solaro
- Department of Rehabilitation, Centro di Recupero e Rieducazione Funzionale (CRRF) “Mons. Luigi Novarese”, 13040 Moncrivello, Italy
| | | | - Davide Cattaneo
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, 20148 Milan, Italy
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Zirek E, Mustafaoglu R, Cicek A, Ahmed I, Mavromoustakos S. Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Modified Dynamic Gait Index in the Elderly. Eval Health Prof 2022; 46:135-139. [DOI: 10.1177/01632787221128311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI) is one of the valid instruments used in the evaluation of gait disorders. This study aimed to translate the mDGI into Turkish and evaluate the evidence for its reliability and validity for use in an elderly population. For test-retest reliability, the mDGI was administered twice, and for inter-rater reliability, the mDGI was administered alone on the same day by two raters. Concurrent validity of the mDGI was assessed using Pearson’s correlation analysis between the Turkish version of the mDGI score and the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and 10-m Walk Test (10-MWT), respectively. The internal consistency of the mDGI was found to be excellent (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.97) and test-retest (ICC = 0.95; 95% Cl (0.84–0.95)) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.95; 95% Cl (0.85–0.95)) were excellent. A negative, moderate correlation was found between mDGI and TUG (r = −0.73, p < .0001), and a positive, moderate correlation with BBS (r = 0.71, p < .0001) and 10-MWT (r = 0.72, p < .0001). The Turkish version of the mDGI was found to be a valid and reliable assessment instrument for gait and balance in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emrah Zirek
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Bingol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rustem Mustafaoglu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aynur Cicek
- Beylikduzu Unimpeded Life Care Rehabilitation and Family Counseling Center, Turkey
| | - Ishtiaq Ahmed
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Graduate Studies, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Savvas Mavromoustakos
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Carpinella I, Gervasoni E, Anastasi D, Di Giovanni R, Tacchino A, Brichetto G, Confalonieri P, Solaro C, Rovaris M, Ferrarin M, Cattaneo D. Walking With Horizontal Head Turns Is Impaired in Persons With Early-Stage Multiple Sclerosis Showing Normal Locomotion. Front Neurol 2022; 12:821640. [PMID: 35153994 PMCID: PMC8833075 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.821640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Turning the head while walking (an action often required during daily living) is particularly challenging to maintain balance. It can therefore potentially reveal subtle impairments in early-stage people with multiple sclerosis who still show normal locomotion (NW-PwMS). This would help in identifying those subjects who can benefit from early preventive exercise aimed at slowing the MS-related functional decline. Objectives To analyze if the assessment of walking with horizontal head turns (WHHT) through inertial sensors can discriminate between healthy subjects (HS) and NW-PwMS and between NW-PwMS subgroups. To assess if the discriminant ability of the instrumented WHHT is higher compared to clinical scores. To assess the concurrent validity of the sensor-based metrics. Methods In this multicenter study, 40 HS and 59 NW-PwMS [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 2.5, disease duration ≤ 5 years] were tested. Participants executed Item-6 of the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale-short (FAB-s) wearing three inertial sensors on the trunk and ankles. The item required to horizontally turn the head at a beat of the metronome (100 bpm) while walking. Signals of the sensors were processed to compute spatiotemporal, regularity, symmetry, dynamic stability, and trunk sway metrics descriptive of WHHT. Results Mediolateral regularity, anteroposterior symmetry, and mediolateral stability were reduced in NW-PwMS vs. HS (p ≤ 0.001), and showed moderate discriminant ability (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.71–0.73). AP symmetry and ML stability were reduced (p ≤ 0.026) in EDSS: 2–2.5 vs. EDSS: 0–1.5 subgroup (AUC: 0.69–0.70). The number of NW-PwMS showing at least one abnormal instrumented metric (68%) was larger (p ≤ 0.002) than the number of participants showing abnormal FAB-s-Item6 (32%) and FAB-s clinical scores (39%). EDSS: 2–2.5 subgroup included more individuals showing abnormal instrumented metrics (86%) compared to EDSS: 0–1.5 subgroup (57%). The instrumented metrics significantly correlated with FAB-s-Item6 and FAB-s scores (|Spearman's rs| ≥ 0.37, p < 0.001), thus demonstrating their concurrent validity. Conclusion The instrumented assessment of WHHT provided valid objective metrics that discriminated, with higher sensitivity than clinical scores, between HS and NW-PwMS and between EDSS subgroups. The method is a promising tool to complement clinical evaluation, and reveal subclinical impairments in persons who can benefit from early preventive rehabilitative interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rachele Di Giovanni
- Centro di Recupero e Rieducazione Funzionale (CRRF) Mons. Luigi Novarese, Moncrivello, Italy
| | - Andrea Tacchino
- Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Scientific Research Area, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Brichetto
- Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Scientific Research Area, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Solaro
- Centro di Recupero e Rieducazione Funzionale (CRRF) Mons. Luigi Novarese, Moncrivello, Italy
| | | | | | - Davide Cattaneo
- IRCSS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplants, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Is a Wearable Sensor-Based Characterisation of Gait Robust Enough to Overcome Differences Between Measurement Protocols? A Multi-Centric Pragmatic Study in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. SENSORS 2019; 20:s20010079. [PMID: 31877760 PMCID: PMC6983011 DOI: 10.3390/s20010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Inertial measurement units (IMUs) allow accurate quantification of gait impairment of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Nonetheless, it is not clear how IMU-based metrics might be influenced by pragmatic aspects associated with clinical translation of this approach, such as data collection settings and gait protocols. In this study, we hypothesised that these aspects do not significantly alter those characteristics of gait that are more related to quality and energetic efficiency and are quantifiable via acceleration related metrics, such as intensity, smoothness, stability, symmetry, and regularity. To test this hypothesis, we compared 33 IMU-based metrics extracted from data, retrospectively collected by two independent centres on two matched cohorts of pwMS. As a worst-case scenario, a walking test was performed in the two centres at a different speed along corridors of different lengths, using different IMU systems, which were also positioned differently. The results showed that the majority of the temporal metrics (9 out of 12) exhibited significant between-centre differences. Conversely, the between-centre differences in the gait quality metrics were small and comparable to those associated with a test-retest analysis under equivalent conditions. Therefore, the gait quality metrics are promising candidates for reliable multi-centric studies aiming at assessing rehabilitation interventions within a routine clinical context.
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