Comparison of Microsoft Kinect TM and Observational Gait Analysis in the Assessment of Gait Parameters of Apparently Healthy Adults

Objectives: The Microsoft KinectTM is reported to have compelling potentials for gait analysis in medicine; however, there are few data on its comparison with observational gait analysis (OGA). This study compared the Microsoft KinectTM and the OGA in the assessment of gait parameters of apparently healthy adults. Methods: Ninety-seven apparently healthy young male adults participated in this comparative study. Participants’ age, height, weight and body mass index were obtained. Thereafter, gait parameters involving number of steps, cadence, stride length, and step length were assessed concurrently following OGA standard procedures, as well as the Microsoft KinectTM during a walk on a six-metre hallway. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Significance level was set at p<0.05.  Results: The mean walk time, steps, cadence, velocity and stride length were 8.07±1.39s, 14.0±2.96 counts, 72.9±11.9 steps/min, 0.8±0.13 m/s and 0.77±0.13m, respectively. Step length was significantly higher (p<0.05) with Microsoft KinectTM than OGA, whereas stride length and walk speed values were significantly (p<0.05) lower with Microsoft KinectTM. There was a moderate but significant (p=0.001) positive correlation between walk speed measured by Microsoft KinectTM and OGA, whereas a weak but significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was found between step length measured by Microsoft KinectTM and OGA. Discussion: Step length values of Microsoft KinectTM were significantly higher than OGA values, whereas stride length and walk speed values of Microsoft KinectTM were significantly lower than OGA values. Walk speed and step length measured by Microsoft KinectTM and OGA were positively correlated.