Can iPad apps accurately analyse human gait for medical purposes?

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iPad Apps Can Accurately Analyse Human Gait for Medical Purposes

The iPad application 3DGait, developed by the healthcare firm CareCam, demonstrates significant accuracy in analysing human gait for medical purposes. This technology allows for the assessment of a person's walk by recording and analysing a video, offering a more accessible and less intrusive method compared to traditional motion analysis labs. In benchmarks against established motion analysis labs, 3DGait achieved approximately 95% accuracy. For angular measurements, its readings are within three degrees of the gold standard, and for spatial-temporal measurements, it is accurate to within three centimeters and 0.03 seconds, which is equivalent to one frame.
Development and Accuracy of 3DGait

The development of the 3DGait application spanned approximately two to three years from its initial concept to its first functional version. This period of development allowed CareCam to refine the technology to achieve high levels of precision. The accuracy metrics, such as being within three degrees for angular measurements and three centimeters and 0.03 seconds for spatial-temporal measurements, position 3DGait as a reliable tool for gait analysis. These benchmarks indicate that the app can capture subtle gait abnormalities that might otherwise go unnoticed during a standard visual assessment.
Accessibility and Practical Application of 3DGait

A key advantage of 3DGait is its accessibility and ease of use. Unlike conventional gait analysis methods, which are typically expensive and require patients to be fitted with uncomfortable sensors and equipment, 3DGait operates on a standard iPad. It does not necessitate an internet connection or any physical contact with the user, and the analysis can be completed in a matter of minutes. This low barrier to entry has facilitated its adoption in various healthcare settings, including age care centers in Singapore, where seniors have used the app, sometimes walking multiple times to ensure sufficient data capture over a short distance of six to eight meters.
Clinical Integration and Detection Capabilities

Clinicians are actively integrating the 3DGait solution into their practice, utilising it in hospitals and public housing developments. The app has proven capable of detecting specific physical issues; for instance, it identified the author's arm injury and a slight asymmetry in their hips, while also confirming a normal gait speed. This ability to record data on subtle gait abnormalities underscores its potential as a diagnostic aid. Such detailed recording can provide valuable insights for clinicians, enabling more informed assessments and treatment plans, particularly for conditions where minor gait deviations are early indicators of underlying issues.

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Can iPad apps accurately analyse human gait for medical purposes?

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