Online FOG Identification in Parkinson´s disease with a time-frequency combined Algorithm

Parkinson´s disease (PD) is a common degenerative neurological disorder. Freezing of Gait (FOG) is a significant symptom in PD. Sudden FOG causes balance disturbances and increases the risk of falls. An online approach for FOG identification is presented using MiMed-Pants and an online test software with a frequency-time combined algorithm. MiMed-Pants are washable jogging-trousers with integrated accelerometers. Eight Parkinson patients with different FOG severity used the MiMed-pants and walked following arbitrary instructions from a physician. FOG events were identified and recorded both by the online approach and by a physician. Results were compared with each other to determine the sensitivity of the developed algorithm. Using this wearable measurement device, FOG events could be identified without distraction of patients´ attention.