Feasibility of gait analysis for children with cerebral palsy using inertial measurement units as a complement to subjective clinical assessments

• Inertial measurement unit as an alternative to an objective assessment of gait. • Inertial measurement unit to quantify gait in children with cerebral palsy. • Inertial measurement units could improve the reliability of the assessment of gait. • Inertial measurement units could determine the impact of interventions in children with cerebral palsy. Assessment of gait in children with cerebral palsy poses significant challenges for healthcare professionals due to the complexity and variability inherent in this condition. Commonly used clinical instruments, such as the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Functional Mobility Scale (FMS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), provide valuable information that is inherently subjective and dependent on the experience of the professional. In this context, inertial measurement units (IMUs) emerge as a promising technology for providing objective, quantifiable gait data. This paper presents a pilot study that aims to explore the potential of IMU-based systems to improve the assessment of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. The study involved 15 children with various types of cerebral palsy (aged 3–15 years, 9.2 ± 3.1) and a control group of 10 healthy children (aged 3–15 years, 9.5 ± 2.7). All participants completed a 10-meter walk test (10MWT). The preliminary results indicate that IMU can improve the reliability and objectivity of gait assessments in this population. Furthermore, these systems could serve as valuable tools for evaluating the outcomes of therapeutic interventions, including rehabilitation programs and orthopedic surgeries.