Papers by Daniel Hamacher
Clinical Biomechanics, 2016
Extreme levels of gait variability and local dynamic stability of walking are associated with ris... more Extreme levels of gait variability and local dynamic stability of walking are associated with risk of falling and reduced executive functions. However, it is not sufficiently investigated how gait variability and local dynamic stability of human walking develop in the course of a motor-cognitive intervention. As dancing implies high demands on (and therewith trains) executive functioning and motor control, it might increase local dynamic stability or reduce gait variability. 32 older healthy participants were randomly assigned to either a health-related exercise group (age: mean=68.33years, standard deviation=3.17years; BMI: mean=27.46, standard deviation=2.94; female/male: 10/6) or a dancing group (age: mean=66.73years, standard deviation=3.33years; BMI: mean=26.02, standard deviation=3.55; female/male: 11/5). Based on angular velocity data of trunk kinematics, local dynamic stability and stride-to-stride variability in level overground walking were assessed prior to and after the specific intervention. The data were analysed by a blinded observer using two-way repeated measures ANOVAs. Based on one-way ANOVAs, time and group effects were determined. Regarding the variability of trunk movements, no interaction effect was observed (F 1,30=0.506, P=.482; η2=0.017). For local dynamic stability of trunk movements, an interaction effect in favour of the dancing group was observed (F 1,30=5,436; P=.026; η2=0.146). Our data indicate that a dancing programme (which combines cognitive and motor efforts) might increase local dynamic stability in older people.
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BMC Neurology
Background Currently, there are several studies showing that wearable inertial sensors are highly... more Background Currently, there are several studies showing that wearable inertial sensors are highly sensitive in the detection of gait disturbances in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), showing excellent reliability within one or 7–14 days. However, it is not known how stable these gait parameters remain over a longer period of time. This is surprising, because many treatments last longer than two weeks. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to examine gait parameters obtained by means of wearable inertial sensors during a 6-min walk and to reassess these parameters after a period of one year. Methods Fifty PwMS (without a relapse or a recent change in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) or treatment) and 20 healthy participants were examined at two assessment points (interval between assessments: 14.4 ± 6.6 months). At each assessment point, all participants had to complete a 6-min walking test, an observer-rater test (Berg Balance Scale, BBS) and a Timed-up and Go T...
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BMC Neurology, 2021
Background The aim of the current study was to examine multiple gait parameters obtained by weara... more Background The aim of the current study was to examine multiple gait parameters obtained by wearable inertial sensors and their sensitivity to clinical status in early multiple sclerosis (MS). Further, a potential correlation between gait parameters and subjective fatigue was explored. Methods Automated gait analyses were carried out on 88 MS patients and 31 healthy participants. To measure gait parameters (i.e. walking speed, stride length, stride duration, duration of stance and swing phase, minimal toe-to-floor distance), wearable inertial sensors were utilized throughout a 6-min 25-ft walk. Additionally, self-reported subjective fatigue was assessed. Results Mean gait parameters consistently revealed significant differences between healthy participants and MS patients from as early as an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) value of 1.5 onwards. Further, MS patients showed a significant linear trend in all parameters, reflecting continuously deteriorating gait performance thr...
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Sensors, 2021
The evaluation of local divergence exponent (LDE) has been proposed as a common gait stability me... more The evaluation of local divergence exponent (LDE) has been proposed as a common gait stability measure in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). However, differences in methods of determining LDE may lead to different results. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of different sensor locations and LDE measures on the sensitivity to discriminate PwMS. To accomplish this, 86 PwMS and 30 healthy participants were instructed to complete a six-minute walk wearing inertial sensors attached to the foot, trunk and lumbar spine. Due to possible fatigue effects, the LDE short (~50% of stride) and very short (~5% of stride) were calculated for the remaining first, middle and last 30 strides. The effect of group (PwMS vs. healthy participants) and time (begin, mid, end) and the effect of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and time were assessed with linear random intercepts models. We found that perturbations seem to be better compensated in healthy partic...
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Gait & Posture, 2020
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Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin, 2020
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Gait & Posture, 2018
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European Journal of Sport Science, 2018
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Motor Control, 2019
The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a cognitive dual task on minimum toe c... more The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a cognitive dual task on minimum toe clearance (MTC) variability while walking. In a randomized cross-over design, gait kinematics of 25 older (70 ± 6 years) and 45 younger adults (25 ± 2 years) were captured during normal walking and dual-task walking. Variability of stride time, stride length, and MTC were calculated. Differences between normal versus dual-task walking were assessed using Wilcoxon tests. Compared with normal walking, dual-task walking caused an increase in stride time variability (older adults: p < .001 and younger adults: p < .001), while the variability of MTC decreased (older adults: p = .032 and younger adults: p = .012). MTC seems to be a task-relevant gait parameter that is controlled with high priority to preserve its variability under challenging conditions.
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Experimental Brain Research, 2016
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Gait & Posture, 2016
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Gait & Posture, 2016
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Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon), Jan 20, 2016
Considering that proprioceptive deficits seem to be responsible for chronic ankle instability, th... more Considering that proprioceptive deficits seem to be responsible for chronic ankle instability, the precise control of ankle angles during running may be impaired. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of chronic ankle instability on intra-individual variability of ankle kinematics during running. Lower extremity running gait kinematics of 12 recreational athletes with chronic ankle instability (mean age: 24years, SD: 3years; strides analyzed: 40.0, SD=1.7) and 12 matched healthy controls (mean age: 27years, SD: 6years; strides analyzed: 40.2, SD=2.5) were registered on a treadmill. Mean ankle angles (inversion/eversion, plantarflexion/dorsiflexion) and intra-individual standard deviations (variability) were calculated at each percent of the running gait cycle. Group differences were examined using statistical parameter mapping. To estimate effect sizes, Hedges' g was calculated. No group differences in the inversion/eversion or plantar-/dorsiflexion ankle angl...
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Gait & Posture, 2016
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Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2015
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Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2014
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2009 8th IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality, 2009
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Papers by Daniel Hamacher