Peer-reviewed paper: validation of gait analysis
Title: "The Use of Embedded IMU Insoles to Assess Gait Parameters: A Validation and Test-Retest Reliability Study"
Journal: Sensors (Peer-Reviewed, impact factor 3.7) - 2023
Objective: This study was performed by an independent INSERM Laboratory to validate IMU insoles metrics for the gait analysis.
Methods: Baliston®’s IMU insoles were compared against gold-standard motion capture systems on 30 adult subjects walking at multiple speeds overground and on treadmill.
Key findings:
- The study validated the good spatiotemporal gait parameters validity
- A test-retest reliability of these parameters was demonstrated with two sessions of measurements
- These IMU-based insoles open new opportunities to enhance patient care through clinical gait analysis in everyday activities
Reference: Riglet, L., Nicol, F., Leonard, A., Eby, N., Claquesin, L., Orliac, B., Ornetti, P., Laroche, D. and Gueugnon, M., 2023. The use of embedded IMU insoles to assess gait parameters: A validation and test-retest reliability study. Sensors, 23(19), p.8155.
Peer-reviewed paper: validation of running analysis
Title: "Validity and Test–Retest Reliability of Spatiotemporal Running Parameter Measurement Using Embedded Inertial Measurement Unit Insoles"
Journal: Sensors (Peer-Reviewed, impact factor 3.7) - 2024
Objective: This study was performed by an independent INSERM Laboratory to validate IMU insoles metrics for the running analysis.
Methods: Baliston®’s IMU insoles were compared against gold-standard motion capture systems on 30 adult subjects running at multiple speeds overground and on treadmill.
Key findings:
- The study validated the good spatiotemporal gait parameters validity
- A test-retest reliability of these parameters was demonstrated with two sessions of measurements
- These IMU-based insoles offer a practical and effective solution for enhancing the care and monitoring of active patients, as well as tracking running performance in sports settings.
Peer-reviewed paper: test-retest reliability of gait analysis
Title: "Test-Retest Reliability of PODOSmart® Gait Analysis Insoles"
Journal: Sensors (Peer-Reviewed, impact factor 3.7) - 2021
Objective: This study was performed by an independent Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Laboratory to validate test-retest reliability of IMU insoles.
Methods: The results of two walking trial analyzed with Baliston®’s IMU insoles (formerly PODOSmart®) were compared on 22 healthy male adults.
Key findings:
- The ICC values for 28 gait variables provided by the IMU insoles indicated good to excellent test-retest reliability.
- Present findings confirm that these gait analysis insoles present excellent repeatability in gait analysis parameters.
- These results offer additional evidence regarding the reliability of this gait analysis tool.
Reference: Loukovitis, A., Ziagkas, E., Zekakos, D.X., Petrelis, A. and Grouios, G., 2021. Test-retest reliability of PODOSmart® gait analysis insoles. Sensors, 21(22), p.7532.
Peer-reviewed paper: validation of the gait analysis metrics
Title: "A Novel Tool for Gait Analysis: Validation Study of the Smart Insole PODOSmart®"
Journal: Sensors (Peer-Reviewed, impact factor 3.7) - 2021
Objective: This study was performed by an independent Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Laboratory to validate the metrics from the Baliston® IMU Insoles (formerly PODOSmart®).
Methods: The results of gait parameters analyzed with Baliston®’s IMU insoles (formerly PODOSmart®) were compared with motion capture system on 11 healthy male adults. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for gait parameters
Key findings:
- IMU insoles is a valid tool for gait analysis compared to the gold standard Vicon.
- The highest ICC was observed in cadence, circumduction, walking speed, stride length and stride duration.
- As Baliston® is a portable gait analysis tool with an affordable cost, it can be a useful novel tool for gait analysis in healthy and pathological population.
Reference: Ziagkas, E., Loukovitis, A., Zekakos, D.X., Chau, T.D.P., Petrelis, A. and Grouios, G., 2021. A novel tool for gait analysis: Validation study of the smart insole podosmart®. Sensors, 21(17), p.5972.
Peer-reviewed paper: gait analysis of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Title: “Gait Analysis, Metabolic Parameters and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Compared with Healthy Controls: A Pilot Study”
Journal: Nutrients (peer-reviewed, impact factor 6.0) – 2023
Key findings:
- Even without clinical symptoms, T2DM patients present significant differences in several gait parameters (step length, walking speed, step angles and phases, propulsion speed, etc.).
- It is possible to detect gait alterations early, before severe complications (e.g., peripheral neuropathy) appear clinically.
- These gait alterations are associated with metabolic and health factors (weight, blood sugar, etc.), which are relevant for prevention.
👉 Key Insight: Even people without declared symptoms can have detectable gait alterations with an instrumented system. This means a potentially wider market (preclinical detection).
Reference: Efthymiou, D., Katsiki, N., Zekakos, D.X., Vassiliadis, P., Petrelis, A. and Vassilopoulou, E., 2023. Gait analysis, metabolic parameters and adherence to the mediterranean diet in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with healthy controls: a pilot study. Nutrients, 15(15), p.3421.
Peer-reviewed paper: gait alterations in the prediction of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia
Title: Gait Alterations in the Prediction of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study With PODOSmart® Insoles
Journal: Frontiers in Psychiatry (peer-reviewed, impact factor 3.2) - 2022
Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate relationships between inflammatory-metabolic biomarkers, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and gait alterations in patients with psychosis treated with Second-generation antipsychotics (APs).
Methods: Patients with psychosis treated with APs, 20 with MetS and 20 without MetS were studied, using anthropometric data, blood measurements and gait analysis performed with the Baliston® (formerly PODOSmart®) gait analysis device.
Key findings:
- Early diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome in patients with schizophrenia via identification of gait alterations can be a screening measure for serious cardiovascular complications is related to psychosis and AP.
Reference: Efthymiou, D., Zekakos, D.X., Papatriantafyllou, E., Ziagkas, E., Petrelis, A.N. and Vassilopoulou, E., 2022. Gait Alterations in the Prediction of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study With PODOSmart® Insoles. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, p.756600.
Peer-reviewed paper: gait pattern differences between young adults and older adults
Title: Gait Pattern Differences Between Young Adults and Physically Active Older Adults
Journal: Medicina (peer-reviewed, impact factor 2.8) – 2025
Objective: This study aimed to compare gait patterns between young adults and physically active older adults. Additionally, the relation between these parameters and age was explored.
Methods:
- 81 participants divided into two groups: young adults (18–45 years) and physically active older adults (60+ years)
- Gait analyzed with Baliston’s Insoles (formerly Podosmart Insoles)
Key findings:
- Evident differences in gait parameters were observed between young adults and active older adults using the novel wearable IMU insoles
- These results are consistent with the trends reported in previous studies that employed more sophisticated laboratory-based protocols for gait analysis
- The findings expand the evidence supporting the clinical use of Baliston’s Insoles by providing data specifically for the geriatric population
Reference: García-Gomariz, C., Domínguez-Navarro, F., Fernández-Benet, M.M., Blasco, J.M., Hernández-Guillén, D. and Sanchis-Sales, E., 2025. Gait Pattern Differences Between Young Adults and Physically Active Older Adults. Medicina, 61(10), p.1752.
Conference presentation: gait analysis in patients with chronic venous disease
Title: "Première évaluation de l’utilisation de semelles connectées en cabinet pour l’analyse de la marche chez le patient atteint de maladie veineuse chronique"
Conference: 54e congrès du Collège Français de Pathologie Vasculaire: Paris, 18-20 mars 2020
Objective: Exploring the relationship between gait profile and chronic venous disease in vascular medicine consultations.
Methods: 15 healthy subjects and 15 subjects with chronic venous disease walk straight with Baliston’s insoles (formerly PODOSmart®)
Key findings:
- The main results of the mixed-data factor analysis revealed that the CEAP clinical classification could be correlated with pronation/supination at the time of toe-off and heel strike. The mixed-data factor analysis map accounts for over 50% of the data variability.
Reference: Zerrouk, S., Petrelis, A., Zekakos, D.X. and Maisons, A., 2021. Première évaluation de l’utilisation de semelles connectées en cabinet pour l’analyse de la marche chez le patient atteint de maladie veineuse chronique. JMV-Journal de Médecine Vasculaire, 46(5), p.S59.
Injury rehabilitation & movement screening
Injury rehabilitation & movement screening
Peer-reviewed paper: comparison of two therapies for rehabilitation of balance, gait and functional capacity in patients with lower limb amputation
Title: “Impact of Kinesiotherapy and Hydrokinetic Therapy on the Rehabilitation of Balance, Gait and Functional Capacity in Patients with Lower Limb Amputation: A Pilot Study”
Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine (peer-reviewed, impact factor 3.3) - 2022
Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to identify impact differences in the rehabilitation of balance, gait and functional capacity in patients with lower limb amputation performing hydrokinetic therapy and kinesiotherapy programs during the pre-prosthetic and prosthetic phases.
Methods: The study included 16 male patients aged 40-60 years with amputated lower limbs for 6 to 12 months, who were divided into the following two groups: the hydrokinetic therapy (HKT) group and the kinesiotherapy (KT) group.
Key findings:
- The IMU insoles gait analysis revealed that the HKT group showed progress, for the foot symmetry parameter, which was less than the score achieved by the KT, while the average progress mean for the cadence parameter was higher for the KT group than the HKT group
- Hydrokinetic therapy programs have a greater impact on balance rehabilitation and exercise adaptation, while kinesiotherapy programs have a greater impact on gait rehabilitation and functional capacity optimization for the travelled distance parameter.
Reference: Cotrobas-Dascalu, V.T., Badau, D., Stoica, M., Dreve, A.A., Predescu, C.M.L., Gherghel, C.L., Bratu, M., Raducu, P., Oltean, A. and Badau, A., 2022. Impact of kinesiotherapy and hydrokinetic therapy on the rehabilitation of balance, gait and functional capacity in patients with lower limb amputation: a pilot study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(14), p.4108.
