Measurement and Evaluation Method of Gait Parameters for Timed Up and Go Test using an IoRT Care-Walker

摘要

The maintenance and improvement Quality of Life (QOL) in elderly people is a pressing issue in Japan, which has entered the “super-aging society”. Fall risk associated with poor gait function and health-related QOL are closely related, and therefore, it is important to measure and evaluate gait parameters focusing on balance function. In this study, we investigated measurement and evaluation method for TUG using an Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) care-walker. We can measure gait parameters such as upper weight and center of weight, walking speed, and walking cycle, during TUG. We proposed an evaluation method using IoRT walker to improve the usual TUG, automatic detection gait parameters and separation of subcomponents, namely: sit to stand, walk1, turn around, walk2, turn and stand to sit; detailed analysis of each subcomponent.