Commentary: Remote assessments of gait and balance-Implications for research during and beyond Covid-19

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sangeetha Madhavan, The University of Illinois at Chicago; Anjali Sivaramakrishnan, The University of Illinois at Chicago; Mark G Bowden, Medical University of South Carolina; Neale R Chumbler, University of North Texas; Edelle Field-Fote, Emory University; Trisha Kesar, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-02-20
• Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Rights managed by Taylor & Francis
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2021.1886641
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: TOPICS IN STROKE REHABILITATION
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 74
• End Page: 81
• Grant/Funding Information: No sources of funding to declare.
• Keywords: Rehabilitation; Science & Technology; neurorehabilitation; lower limb; screening; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; tele-assessments; COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted non-essential in-person research activities that require contact with human subjects. While guidelines are being developed for ramping up human subjects research, one component of research that can be performed remotely is participant screening for lower limb function and gait impairments. In this commentary, we summarize evidence-supported clinical assessments that have potential to be conducted remotely in a safe manner, to make an initial determination of the functional mobility status of persons with neurological disorders. We present assessments that do not require complex or costly equipment, specialized software, or trained personnel to administer. We provide recommendations to implement remote functional assessments for participant recruitment and continuation of lower limb neurorehabilitation research as a rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic and for utilization beyond the current pandemic. We also highlight critical research gaps related to feasibility and measurement characteristics of remote lower limb assessments, providing opportunities for future research to advance tele-assessment and tele-rehabilitation.