Walking with rollator: a systematic review of gait parameters in older persons

Mundt, Marion; Batista, João Pedro; Markert, Bernd; Bollheimer, Cornelius; Laurentius, Thea

doi:10.1186/s11556-019-0222-5

Cited by 32 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Most studies concerned with walking-aid-assisted mobility assessed standard gait parameters, for example [18][19][20][21], but without reporting on gait stability. Only a few studies focused on stable use of walking aids, and they interpreted movements and loading of the walking aid alone to then infer on the stability of the user [13,22,23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are older people putting themselves at risk when using their walking frames?

et al. 2020

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Background: Walking aids are issued to older adults to prevent falls, however, paradoxically their use has been identified as a risk factor for falling. To prevent falls, walking aids must be used in a stable manner, but it remains unknown to what extent associated clinical guidance is adhered to at home, and whether following guidance facilitates a stable walking pattern. It was the aim of this study to investigate adherence to guidance on walking frame use, and to quantify user stability whilst using walking frames. Additionally, we explored the views of users and healthcare professionals on walking aid use, and regarding the instrumented walking frames ('Smart Walkers') utilized in this study. Methods: This observational study used Smart Walkers and pressure-sensing insoles to investigate usage patterns of 17 older people in their home environment; corresponding video captured contextual information. Additionally, stability when following, or not, clinical guidance was quantified for a subset of users during walking in an Activities of Daily Living Flat and in a gait laboratory. Two focus groups (users, healthcare professionals) shared their experiences with walking aids and provided feedback on the Smart Walkers. Results: Incorrect use was observed for 16% of single support periods and for 29% of dual support periods, and was associated with environmental constraints and a specific frame design feature. Incorrect use was associated with reduced stability. Participants and healthcare professionals perceived the Smart Walker technology positively. Conclusions: Clinical guidance cannot easily be adhered to and self-selected strategies reduce stability, hence are placing the user at risk. Current guidance needs to be improved to address environmental constraints whilst facilitating stable walking. The research is highly relevant considering the rising number of walking aid users, their increased falls-risk, and the costs of falls.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are older people putting themselves at risk when using their walking frames?

et al. 2020

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“…Since people are aging and want to retain their mobility, it is important to early detect abnormal gait patterns in order to prevent them from falling. To achieve this, the improvement of ambulatory motion analysis systems is relevant (Mundt et al, 2019a). Systems that are capable of determining motion kinematics and kinetics without expensive equipment and with less expert knowledge required will drastically increase the availability of motion analysis to a wider range of people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Gait Mechanics Based on Simulated and Measured IMU Data Using an Artificial Neural Network

Mundt

Koeppe

David

et al. 2020

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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“…These solutions have proven to help overcome and compensate for people’s physical limitations by maintaining or improving individuals’ functioning and independence in clinical and everyday scenarios [ 12 , 13 ]. Regarding the walking frames or walkers, these devices improve overall balance by increasing the patient’s base of support, enhancing lateral stability, and providing weight-bearing [ 14 ]. In general, walkers exhibit simple mechanical structures and hold excellent rehabilitation potential [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Physical Interaction during Walker-Assisted Gait with the AGoRA Walker: Strategies Based on Virtual Mechanical Stiffness

Múnera

Provot

et al. 2021

Sensors

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Smart walkers are commonly used as potential gait assistance devices, to provide physical and cognitive assistance within rehabilitation and clinical scenarios. To understand such rehabilitation processes, several biomechanical studies have been conducted to assess human gait with passive and active walkers. Several sessions were conducted with 11 healthy volunteers to assess three interaction strategies based on passive, low and high mechanical stiffness values on the AGoRA Smart Walker. The trials were carried out in a motion analysis laboratory. Kinematic data were also collected from the smart walker sensory interface. The interaction force between users and the device was recorded. The force required under passive and low stiffness modes was 56.66% and 67.48% smaller than the high stiffness mode, respectively. An increase of 17.03% for the hip range of motion, as well as the highest trunk’s inclination, were obtained under the resistive mode, suggesting a compensating motion to exert a higher impulse force on the device. Kinematic and physical interaction data suggested that the high stiffness mode significantly affected the users’ gait pattern. Results suggested that users compensated their kinematics, tilting their trunk and lower limbs to exert higher impulse forces on the device.

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Walking with rollator: a systematic review of gait parameters in older persons

Cited by 32 publications

References 29 publications

Are older people putting themselves at risk when using their walking frames?

Are older people putting themselves at risk when using their walking frames?

Estimation of Gait Mechanics Based on Simulated and Measured IMU Data Using an Artificial Neural Network

Evaluation of Physical Interaction during Walker-Assisted Gait with the AGoRA Walker: Strategies Based on Virtual Mechanical Stiffness

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