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Walking Pattern Characteristics in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Walking Pattern Characteristics in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. A Phase I/II Open-label Single Center Trial to Characterize Disease-specific Walking Patterns Using Wearable Gyroscopes

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04702035
Acronym
NPH wearables
Enrollment
60
Registered
2021-01-08
Start date
2018-01-01
Completion date
2024-04-25
Last updated
2024-04-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (INPH)

Brief summary

20 patients who are diagnosed with NPH receive a set of 5 wearable gyroscopes (IMUs, ZurichMove sensors) for a period of 3 days for measurement and characterization of their walking in an ambulatory setting. At a follow-up 2 weeks to 6 months after CSF diversion surgery, the examination is repeated and improvement is measured. The data will be compared with a healthy group of 20 age- and gender-matched individuals as well a a group of 20 young individuals.

Detailed description

Temporary attachment of IMUs to wrists and ankles of the patients and probands for a period of three days and recording of movement during a 10 meter-walking test, 180° turnaround and during normal movement at home. Group 1 (patients): Patients with a completed diagnostic concerning iNPH, who are planned to receive a VP-shunt by their responsible neurosurgeon (independently from the study), will be included. Before the shunt implantation, the patients will be examined at the USZ using wearable gyroscopes (like wristwatches) at both wrists and ankles as well as one around the body center. The short examination will comprise a patient history (MoCa test, Kiefer-score, Stein- and Langfitt-Score), a short examination (4 minute walking test, 180° turnaround) in hospital. Afterwards, the patient goes home, where the gyroscopes examine walking patterns for a period of three days. After this period, the patient brings the devices back to the hospital. The surgery will take place afterwards, independently from the study, as well as adjustments of the shunt's flow-resistance for achievement of optimal response to the therapy. After this optimal result is achieved, but latest after 6 months, the examination will be repeated. Groups 2 and 3 (controls): As well 20 subjects matched for sex and age with the patient's group as 20 healthy young subjects will be examined just like the patients preoperatively. Walking patterns shall be compared to identify changes between pre- and postoperatively as well as differences between patients and controls.

Interventions

DEVICECharacterization of walking pattern characteristics in an ambulatory setting using wearable IMUs (ZurichMOVE sensors)

All participants receive a set of 5 wearable IMUs for a period of 3 days. The IMUs are fixed at both wrists, ankles and one over the sternum. A 10-meter walking test, 180 degree turnaround test and normal walking at home are performed. Afterwards, the IMUs are removed for data extraction and evaluation. The patient group is examined a second time after CSF diversion surgery.

Sponsors

ETH Zurich
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Zurich
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Masking description

unmasked

Intervention model description

Three groups of individuals are enrolled in parralel: 20 iNPH patients, 20 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals and 20 young individuals.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

Age limits for the NPH patient group and the matched healthy vonunteers group are 60-100 years. Age limits for the young healthy volunteers group are 18-40 years. Inclusion Criteria: NPH patient group: 1. Informed Consent as documented by signature prior to any study related procedures or informed consent by a legal representative in case of cognitive deficits. 2. Male and female patients alike 3. Age between 60 and 100 years 4. Clinical suspect for NPH 5. Significant improvement (by more than 10%) in walking speed or endurance in a standardized CSF-TAP test (of at least 35 ml CSF). 6. Planned implantation of a VP shunt for NPH treatment (independently from the study). Matched controls group: 1. Informed Consent as documented by signature prior to any study related procedures 2. Male and female patients alike (matched to group 1) 3. Age between 60 and 100 years (matched to group 1) 4. No clinical suspect for NPH or any other movement disorder Young controls group: 1. Informed Consent as documented by signature prior to any study related procedures 2. Male and female patients alike (matched to group 1) 3. Age between 18 and 40 years 4. No clinical suspect for NPH or any other movement disorder

Exclusion criteria

1. Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees and other dependent persons (only for patients; no

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Walking characteristicsBetween 2 weeks to 6 months after CSF diversion surgeryComplex walking pattern comprising of stride length, width, frequency (altogether one parameter)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
180 degree turnaround testimmediately after fixation of IMUsParticipants are asked to turn by 180 degrees. Steps needed are counted.
Kiefer scorebefore surgeryStandard score for iNPH severity, only patient group; range 0-26; higher indicates higher severity
Stein and Langfitt scorebefore surgeryStandard score for patient independence, only patient group; range 0-IV; higher indicates higher dependency
NPH recovery rateafter surgery (range 2 weeks to 6 months)Standard rate for success of CSF diversion treatment in NPH. Calculated as follows: (Kiefer score preoperatively - Kiefer score postoperatively) / Kiefer score preoperatively x 10; range 0-10; Higher indicates better response to surgery
4 minutes timed Walk testimmediately after fixation of IMUsStandard test (seconds)
Disproportionally Enlarged Subarachnoidal space Hydrocephalus (DESH) signbefore surgeryPositivity of standard sign in preoperative CT or MRI imaging, hinting at presence of iNPH. Values: Positive/Negative
Time from appearance of first symptoms to surgerybefore surgeryFrom first appearance of symptoms to surgery in years
3-dimensional characterization of walking patternsbefore surgeryDetailed analysis of walking patterns recorded during the measurement phases by the wearable IMUs.
Evan´s Indexbefore surgeryStandard descriptor for width of lateral ventricles in iNPH. Calculated as maximum with of frontal horns / maximal diameter of brain in axial CT or MRI at the level of cella media; range: 0-1; higher indicates larger ventricles and more severe hydrocephlaus

Countries

Switzerland

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026