Wearable Assessment of Dynamic Trunk Sway Reveals Directional Balance Adaptations During Sling-Assisted Walking After Stroke

Abstract

Background: Quantitative assessment of dynamic balance remains challenging in clinical practice. Wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based technologies offer an objective and accessible approach for monitoring postural control. This study aimed to develop and preliminarily validate a wearable IMU-based trunk sway monitoring system (SwayTracker) and investigate trunk sway characteristics in stroke patients walking with and without arm sling support. Methods: A sternum-mounted IMU system was developed to quantify dynamic trunk sway during walking. Fifteen healthy adults and fourteen stroke patients participated. The healthy participants established normative reference values, whereas the stroke patients completed walking trials with and without arm sling support. Trunk sway was quantified using anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) deviations and a polar-coordinate-based sway model. Results: The healthy reference cohort exhibited a mean trunk sway magnitude (radius) of 8.20 +/- 3.16 degrees. The stroke patients demonstrated greater sway during unsupported (15.36 +/- 5.83 degrees) and sling-assisted walking (15.35 +/- 4.59 degrees). Although overall sway magnitude remained unchanged, the mean sway direction shifted from 69.49 degrees to 110.20 degrees, indicating a redistribution of trunk sway from the anterior-right toward the anterior-left quadrant. Forward sway remained the dominant AP component, whereas ML sway shifted from predominantly rightward to leftward with sling use. Conclusions: SwayTracker provides a feasible method for objective assessment of dynamic trunk sway during walking. The stroke patients exhibited increased sway magnitude and altered directional organization compared with healthy individuals. Arm sling use primarily modified ML postural compensation patterns rather than reducing overall trunk sway, highlighting the potential of wearable trunk sway monitoring for gait and balance assessment in neurological rehabilitation.