Emerging Role of Portable Accelerometers for Assessment of Gait Instability in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Systematic Review.
Ryan J Davis, Emanuella M Brito, Julia L Armstrong et al.
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In 30 seconds
This PRISMA-guided systematic review assessed portable and smartphone-based accelerometers for measuring gait in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Across 32 studies, investigators used 22 different accelerometers, including wearable inertial sensors and smartphone applications. The Three-Dimensional Pose Tracker for Gait Test app was most frequently used to identify gait features such as shuffling, short steps, and wide-based walking; G-Walk was commonly used in clinical assessments, including around CSF tap tests. Some studies combined accelerometry with machine-learning models to improve differentiation of iNPH from other neurological gait disorders.
Key findings
- Across 32 studies, 22 different accelerometers were used to quantify gait in iNPH.
- The Three-Dimensional Pose Tracker for Gait Test app was the most frequently used tool and detected pathological gait features.
- G-Walk was commonly used in clinical assessments, including before and after CSF tap tests.
- Some studies reported improved differentiation of iNPH from other neurological gait disorders when accelerometry was combined with machine-learning models.
Why it matters
Gait assessment is central to identifying and monitoring iNPH, and portable sensors may provide objective measurements beyond clinical observation. The range of devices and reported applications suggests potential utility in assessment and follow-up, while machine-learning approaches may help distinguish iNPH-related gait from other neurological disorders.
What to keep in mind
The review describes substantial variation in devices and applications; the abstract does not report pooled diagnostic accuracy or comparative performance.