A mobile app to transparently distinguish single- from dual-task walking for the ecological monitoring of age-related changes in daily-life gait

Early detection of gait impairments in older adults allows the early uncovering fall risk and/or cognitive deficits, resulting timely interventions. Dual-task paradigms have been shown to be more sensitive than single-task conditions for subtle yet relevant impairments. Can a system - encompassing pair instrumented insoles and customized mobile app transparently accurately study ecological walking activities single- dual-task conditions, with aim detecting age-related alterations gait? The was tested on 19 during outdoor (two identical trials two motor-cognitive user engaged simple phone call cognitive-demanding call). A trial included. Relative reliability parameters provided by investigated (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient). effect dual tasking both motor (Friedman test) (Wilcoxon signed-rank domains studied. To usability, 5 real-life environment over 3 months. Most showed excellent reliability. Independently from demand, while talking resulted increased cycle step time, prolonged stance phase due an augmented double-support. Variability only most demanding dual-task. Dual reduced score. Usability feedback were excellent, users reporting understand usefulness devised feel at ease when using insoles. This work paves way toward fruitful applications achieve accurate monitoring daily-life activities, final gait.