Promoting Rehabilitation with an IoT based Patient Gait Monitoring System in a Smart Hospital

Abstract

Wearable sensors and IoT technologies enable real-time monitoring of patient conditions, but their use in clinical practice is still limited. We implemented a smart hospital system integrating sensor-embedded insoles and a real-time location system into the electronic medical record to monitor gait parameters in hospitalized patients with central nervous system injury. In a pilot study with 15 patients, gait data such as step count, walking distance, gait speed, and stride length were collected, visualized, and used by medical staff to set individualized rehabilitation goals. Average compliance was 98.9%, with high patient satisfaction (mean 4.28/5). The system improved mobility (mean mRS from 3.33 to 2.33) but faced challenges including device durability, network restrictions, and resource demands. This feasibility study suggests IoT-based monitoring in smart hospitals can enhance rehabilitation planning and feedback. © 2025 IEEE.