Estimate of lower trunk angles using gyroscope data in pathological gait

Abstract

This paper proposes a method based on the use of a Weighted Fourier Linear Combiner (WFLC) for the estimate of lower trunk angles during pathological overground level walking using the angular velocities measured at lower trunk level. The method was validated in a group of 12 patients, 6 with hemiplegia and 6 with Parkinson’s disease, by comparing the estimated angles to those simultaneously measured with a stereophotogrammetric system. The results proved that the method is highly accurate in estimating both pitch, roll, and yaw angles.