Comparison of the pressure sensor and inertial measurement units based gait and movement analysis methods in healthy individuals

Gait and movement disorders are common as a component of neurodegenerative diseases and normal aging. The main tool for the clinical evaluation of gait and movement disorders is physical and neurological examination. However, this method is only semi-quantitative, and it is generally insufficient for the measurement of slowly progressing movement disorder symptoms and evaluation of treatment response. Therefore, there is a need for more sensitive quantitative measurement methods that can be used in the clinical evaluation of gait and movement disorders. Pressure sensitive platforms and wearable sensor systems are the two main tools that have been used in the quantitative analysis of gait and movement in recent years. In particular, wireless and wearable sensor systems can be used for continuous and objective monitoring of movement and provide broad information on disease progression. However, in order for these systems to be used clinically, their normal values must first be determined and compared with each other. In this study, we aimed to create a normative data set from healthy controls for motion-based parameters, and compare it with the pressure platform system, which is another system used for gait analysis, by first focusing on inertial sensors used for motion analysis. Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the neurodegenerative diseases that most commonly affects walking and movement. Movement patterns are important indications of a person's functional health situation and crucial to provide appropriate analysis. Disturbances in spatiotemporal parameters, impaired posture and balance, decreased arm swing, and decreased range of motion in the pelvic and lower extremity joints are well-known clinical features of Parkinson's disease (PD) and are often observed even in the early stages. The second aim of this thesis study is to examine the literature studies on sensory gait analysis in Parkinson's disease and to determine the current situation in this field. As a result of this thesis, we obtain reference values with two sensor-based devices to aid researchers and clinicians in their assessments and treatments of movement deficit. With advancement in the quantitative analysis techniques may be highly beneficial for interpreting a person's gait dysfunction.