Digital Gait Analysis in the Home Environment of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Summary

The aim of this study is the development of novel telemedical examination methods based on sensor-based gait analysis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In a first step, the basic technical feasibility of measuring gait parameters in MS patients under standardized conditions in the clinic and in the home environment of the study participants will be investigated.

In a subsequent two-week study phase, gait parameters (real-life monitoring) and standardized gait tests will be continuously recorded in the home environment of the study participants. The comparability of the collected gait parameters from standardized gait tests and real-life monitoring to clinical scales (e.g. EDSS) will investigate the medical applicability of gait analysis as a target parameter in MS patients.

New algorithms for detecting indication-specific gait patterns from gait analysis in patients' daily lives and their possible changes over time (progression) will be explored and implemented into the study system. In addition, a patient app annotates the standardized gait tests and collects questionnaire-based data from the study participants during real-life monitoring. Via a study tablet, the data of the gait analysis and the patient app are transmitted to a study platform (Digital Patient Manager). The clinical assessment data (neurological examination, questionnaires) can be entered via a web front-end of the study platform and assigned to the patient via a pseudonym.

A further aim of this study is to validate the technology used for its applicability in the home environment. By means of structured interviews after the study phase, the study participants will be asked about compliance and adherence.

The following scientific questions will be investigated in this project:

(a) Is gait analysis a feasible and meaningful target parameter for MS centers? b) Are gait parameters from real-life monitoring suitable biomarkers for the detection of MS symptoms? c) Can gait parameters from standardized gait tests be compared with different testing environments (clinic / home environment)? d) How do gait parameters from standardized gait tests differ from gait data from real-life monitoring? e) How is the telemedical application for the collection of gait parameters evaluated by the patients? f) Can disease progression be detected using sensor-based gait parameters from the home environment?

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Celgene Corporation

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• NeuroSys GmbH

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Portabiles HealthCare Technologies GmbH

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Regensburg

  collaborator OTHER

• Medical Valley Digital Health Application Center GmbH

  lead INDUSTRY

Principal Investigators

• Ralf Linker, Professor · Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-03-09

Primary Completion

2023-06-28

Completion

2023-06-28

Countries

• Germany

Study Locations