Article
Movement Path Tortuosity in Free Ambulation: Relationships to Age and Brain Disease
IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics
(2016)
Abstract
Ambulation is defined by duration, distance traversed, number and size of directional changes and the interval separating successive movement episodes; more complex measures of ambulation can be created by aggregating these features. This review article of published findings defines random changes in direction during movement as “movement path tortuosity”, and relates tortuosity to the understanding of cognitive impairments of persons of all ages. Path tortuosity is quantified by subjecting tracking data to fractal analysis, specifically Fractal Dimension (Fractal D), which ranges from a value of 1 when the movement path is perfectly straight to a value of 2 when the movement path is random, resembling the “drunkard’s walk”. The review elucidates the mathematical assumptions underlying Fractal D, its use in the analysis of movements of free ranging animals, and its application to the study of cognitive impairment and the prediction of falls in older adults. We conclude Fractal D offers a reliable, valid, sensitive and easily interpreted real-time longitudinal measure of unrestricted movement path tortuosity unaffected by mobility aid use.
Keywords
- Fractals,
- Numerical analysis,
- Ultra wideband technology,
- Cognition,
- Mental disorders,
- Pervasive computing,
- Animal behavior
Disciplines
- Engineering,
- Life Sciences,
- Bioinformatics,
- Laboratory and Basic Science Research,
- Neuroscience and Neurobiology,
- Other Life Sciences,
- Medicine and Health Sciences,
- Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment,
- Health Information Technology,
- Mental and Social Health,
- Psychiatric and Mental Health,
- Psychiatry and Psychology,
- Mental Disorders,
- Other Psychiatry and Psychology,
- Rehabilitation and Therapy,
- Occupational Therapy,
- Other Rehabilitation and Therapy,
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling,
- Sports Sciences,
- Translational Medical Research,
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics,
- Applied Mathematics,
- Computer Sciences,
- Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing,
- Systems Architecture,
- Dynamical Systems,
- Geometry and Topology,
- Other Mathematics,
- Social and Behavioral Sciences,
- Animal Studies,
- Biological and Physical Anthropology,
- Geographic Information Sciences,
- Human Geography,
- Psychology,
- Applied Behavior Analysis,
- Clinical Psychology,
- Cognitive Psychology,
- Experimental Analysis of Behavior,
- Health Psychology and
- Sports Studies
Publication Date
Spring January 25, 2016
DOI
10.1109/JBHI.2016.2517332
Citation Information
William D. Kearns, James L. Fozard and Vilis O. Nams. "Movement Path Tortuosity in Free Ambulation: Relationships to Age and Brain Disease" IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics Iss. 99 (2016) ISSN: 2168-2194 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/william_kearns/62/