Donate your Gait

The ‘Donate your Gait’ study examines gait patterns in the general population across the lifespan and also includes people with neurological disorders in order to identify and compare different gait patterns.

Background and objectives

The aim of the study is to examine how people in the general population walk. The data collected will serve as reference values for other DZNE studies. Since neurodegenerative diseases often—though not exclusively—occur in older age, this study will closely analyze how gait patterns change over the course of a person’s life. In addition, patients with neurological disorders will be examined to better understand the differences and similarities between healthy walking and walking patterns altered by disease. This study will enable a precise description of what constitutes a healthy gait and how it changes with age. This knowledge will help to better identify diseases and understand their effects on walking.

Overview

Any interested adult who is capable of giving informed consent may participate, provided they have no known gait impairment (neurodegenerative diseases such as ataxia, dementia, motor and cerebellar disorders, and sensory or motor neuropathies) and do not require walking aids (e.g., crutches or a walker). In addition, adult patients with neurological conditions who are capable of giving informed consent and are already participating in ongoing studies at the participating study centers will be included. Since the data collected consists of video recordings, the capture of identifying characteristics cannot be avoided. We advise participants who have concerns about video recordings not to participate.

Course of the study

The examinations take place on a single visit and last approximately 25 minutes. After the experimenter provides a detailed explanation of the planned measurements, a gait analysis is performed. The gait analysis is recorded using a camera.

Examination of the gait pattern

You will be asked to walk a distance of 2–10 meters away from the camera. Once you reach the end point, turn around 180 degrees and walk back toward the camera. This entire sequence of movements will be recorded by a camera, such as an iPad or a similar device. The camera will be positioned so that the entire walking movement can be optimally captured..

You will also optionally be asked to assume walking and standing positions that are typically assessed as part of a neurological examination for neurodegenerative movement disorders. 

After recording, the videos are analyzed using specialized motion-capture software. This software detects and tracks the participants’ movements by identifying key points on the body, such as joints and limbs. This data is used to create a digital motion skeleton that represents body movements as 3D coordinates. This motion skeleton serves as the basis for further analysis and is subsequently saved so that it can be used for future studies and comparisons. Participants are also asked to fill out an optional self-report questionnaire to record their weight, gender, height, and age.

A summary of the information is provided in this flyer.

Principle Investigator: PD Dr. Jennifer Faber
Start of the study: Q1/2025
Status: monocentric (DZNE Bonn), recruiting activ

Philipp Wegner
philipp.wegner(at)dzne.de
Anna Esser
anna.esser(at)dzne.de
+49 228 43302-870