Research on inertial sensor-based assessment method on motor dysfunction of early Parkinson's disease

ZHANG Yanjun; YANG Yang; FU Wenqian; ZHANG Luobin; WENG Yongjie; JIANG Tianyu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.08.005

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Medical Journal of the Chinese People Armed Police Forces ›› 2026, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (8) : 675-681. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.08.005

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Research on inertial sensor-based assessment method on motor dysfunction of early Parkinson's disease

ZHANG Yanjun¹, YANG Yang², FU Wenqian¹, ZHANG Luobin³, WENG Yongjie³, JIANG Tianyu⁴

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Abstract

Objective To analyze the kinematic parameters of sit-to-stand transition and turning phase tasks in early Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using inertial sensors worn at three key anatomical sites, and to establish an objective assessment method for motor dysfunction in early PD patients. Methods A total of 31 subjects were enrolled from the neurology outpatient department of the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from May 2025 to December 2025. Three inertial sensors were attached to the lumbar region and the dorsal sides of both feet to collect kinematic parameters during the 3-meter timed standing-walking test. The kinematic parameters of sit-to-stand phase and turning phase were compared between the two groups, and the correlations between these parameters and corresponding clinical scale scores were analyzed. Results A total of 30 effective subjects were finally included, with 11 in the PD group and 19 in the control group. During sit-to-stand phase and turning phase tasks, the PD group demonstrated significantly lower center of Mass (COM) lateral sway amplitude, mean COM velocity, acceleration smoothness, and gait speed compared with the healthy control group, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (all P<0.01). In the PD group, the COM projection envelope area and mean COM velocity during sit-to-stand were significantly negatively correlated with the number of steps in the 10-Meter Walk Test (r=-0.628, r=-0.803), and significantly positively correlated with the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB) score (r=0.642, r=0.725). The turn step count was significantly positively correlated with the number of steps in the 10-Meter Walk Test (r=0.668), and significantly negatively correlated with the FAB score (r=-0.783). Conclusions The mean COM velocity, acceleration smoothness, and gait speed based on inertial sensors can sensitively capture the subtle changes in motor dysfunction in early PD, providing an objective digital tool for early screening and clinical assessment.

Key words

Parkinson's disease / inertial sensor / 3-meter timed standing-walking / postural transition / turning walking / kinematic parameters / clinical scale

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ZHANG Yanjun, YANG Yang, FU Wenqian, ZHANG Luobin, WENG Yongjie, JIANG Tianyu. Research on inertial sensor-based assessment method on motor dysfunction of early Parkinson's disease[J]. Medical Journal of the Chinese People Armed Police Forces. 2026, 37(8): 675-681 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.08.005

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