Chemotherapy-induced fatigue estimation using hidden Markov model

Publication date: Available online 15 November 2018Source: Biocybernetics and Biomedical EngineeringAuthor(s): Sina Ameli, Fazel Naghdy, David Stirling, Golshah Naghdy, Morteza AghmeshehAbstractChemotherapy-induced fatigue undermines the physical performance and alter gait behaviour of patients. In routine clinical oncology, there is not a well-established method to objectively assess the effects of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on gait characteristics. Clinical trials commonly use 6-min walking tests (6MWT) to assess the gait of patients. However, these studies only measure the distance that a patient can walk. The distance does not provide comprehensive information about variations in ambulatory motion characteristics and body postural behaviour which can more appropriately describe the fatigue effects on general physical performance. Gait characteristics provide a manifestation of relationships between muscular and cardiovascular fitness status and physical motions. Hence, an assessment of gait characteristics provides more appropriate information about the effects of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on gait behaviour and also general physical performance of patients. A novel approach is proposed to objectively assess the impacts of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on cancer gait by analysing the gait characteristics during 6MWT. The joint angles of the lower body segments are measured by a set of inertial sensors and modelled through a hidden Markov model (HMM) with Gaussian emiss...
Source: Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering - Category: Biomedical Engineering Source Type: research