Feasibility Study of Wearable Sensor-Derived Gait Parameters Across Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis and Healthy ControlsWearable sensors provide objective gait assessments, but their feasibility for detecting gait differences across physical activity (PA) levels in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is underexplored. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Wearable sensors provide objective gait assessments, but their feasibility for detecting gait differences across physical activity (PA) levels in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is underexplored. OBJECTIVE To validate gait parameters derived from wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) and assess the feasibility of using IMUs to characterize gait metrics across varying physical activity levels in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and healthy controls. METHODS This pilot study enrolled 20 participants (KOA: n = 10; Healthy: n = 10). KOA severity was mostly moderate to severe (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2–4). Participants completed gait assessments using IMUs and PA assessment using the Stanford Brief Activity Survey. Exploratory trends and effect sizes were analyzed. RESULTS Descriptive trends suggested higher PA levels were associated with greater stride velocity and cadence, especially in the KOA group. Effect sizes were presented to guide future study planning. CONCLUSIONS IMUs feasibly captured gait variability across PA levels in this preliminary sample. Larger powered studies are needed to establish definitive associations.