Symbolic representation of gait analysis revealing insights into bipolar disorder.

Beyond Mood Swings: Can Walking Patterns Reveal Bipolar Disorder?

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Groundbreaking research suggests that subtle changes in gait and energy levels during movement may offer a new way to understand and assess bipolar disorder."

Bipolar disorder, characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels, affects millions worldwide. Traditional diagnosis relies heavily on subjective self-reports and clinical observations, making it challenging to capture the full spectrum of the disorder, especially in its early stages. The constant search for objective measures to aid in diagnosis and treatment monitoring has led researchers to explore the potential of biomechanical analysis.

Recent studies have begun to uncover subtle yet significant differences in how individuals with bipolar disorder move, particularly during episodes of mania or depression. These motor behaviors, influenced by fluctuations in energy states, offer a promising avenue for developing quantitative assessments that go beyond traditional methods.

Imagine a future where a simple gait analysis could provide valuable insights into a person's mental state. Researchers are working to turn this vision into reality, using advanced motion capture technology to analyze the nuances of human movement. This innovative approach offers new possibilities for understanding and managing bipolar disorder.

Decoding Movement: How Gait Analysis Works

Symbolic representation of gait analysis revealing insights into bipolar disorder.

The core of this research involves detailed biomechanical analysis of gait and sit-to-walk transitions. Scientists use sophisticated motion capture systems, similar to those used in creating realistic video game characters, to record movement. These systems employ cameras and force platforms to precisely measure various parameters.

Key measurements include:

Gait speed: How quickly someone walks.
Stride length: The distance covered in each step.
Cadence: The number of steps taken per minute.
Force exertion: The amount of force exerted during different phases of movement.
Power generation: The rate at which energy is produced during movement.

By analyzing these parameters, researchers can identify subtle differences in movement patterns that may be indicative of specific mood states in bipolar disorder. This approach provides an objective way to assess activity and energy levels, potentially overcoming the limitations of subjective self-reports.

The Future of Bipolar Disorder Assessment

While this research is still in its early stages, the potential applications are vast. Imagine a future where clinicians can use gait analysis to objectively assess a patient's mood state, track treatment progress, and personalize interventions. By identifying motor behavior specific to different phases of bipolar disorder, this approach could lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments, and improved quality of life for individuals living with this condition.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.08.062, Alternate LINK

Title: Motor Behavior Characteristics In Various Phases Of Bipolar Disorder Revealed Through Biomechanical Analysis: Quantitative Measures Of Activity And Energy Variables During Gait And Sit-To-Walk

Subject: Biological Psychiatry

Journal: Psychiatry Research

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Gu Eon Kang, Brian J. Mickey, Melvin G. Mcinnis, Barry S. Krembs, M. Melissa Gross

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

How could analyzing walking patterns help in understanding and assessing bipolar disorder?

Researchers are exploring how analyzing walking and movement patterns, specifically through gait analysis, could serve as objective markers for identifying different phases of bipolar disorder. This involves using motion capture technology to precisely measure parameters such as gait speed, stride length, cadence, force exertion, and power generation. These measurements aim to provide quantitative assessments of activity and energy levels that may correlate with different mood states, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and more personalized treatment strategies. However, the research is in early stages.

How exactly does gait analysis work in the context of researching bipolar disorder?

The core of gait analysis for bipolar disorder involves detailed biomechanical assessments of how individuals walk and transition from sitting to walking. Scientists use sophisticated motion capture systems with cameras and force platforms to record and measure key parameters like gait speed, stride length, cadence, force exertion, and power generation. By analyzing these parameters, researchers aim to identify subtle differences in movement patterns indicative of specific mood states associated with bipolar disorder, offering an objective assessment of activity and energy levels.

What specific measurements are taken during gait analysis to study bipolar disorder, and what other data might be useful?

Gait analysis in the context of bipolar disorder involves measuring several key parameters to identify subtle differences in movement patterns. These parameters include: Gait speed (how quickly someone walks), Stride length (the distance covered in each step), Cadence (the number of steps taken per minute), Force exertion (the amount of force exerted during different phases of movement), and Power generation (the rate at which energy is produced during movement). Analyzing these factors helps researchers objectively assess activity and energy levels related to different phases of bipolar disorder. Additional data that could be useful but not explicitly mentioned includes joint angles, balance metrics, and asymmetry in movement.

What is the potential future impact of using gait analysis in the assessment and treatment of bipolar disorder?

The long-term vision is to integrate gait analysis into clinical practice to objectively assess a patient's mood state, track treatment progress, and personalize interventions for bipolar disorder. By identifying motor behaviors specific to different phases of bipolar disorder, clinicians could potentially achieve earlier diagnosis, administer more effective treatments, and ultimately improve the quality of life for individuals living with the condition. Further research is needed to validate these findings and establish standardized protocols for gait analysis in clinical settings.

Why is gait analysis being explored as a method for understanding bipolar disorder, given the traditional reliance on self-reporting?

Traditional diagnosis of bipolar disorder relies heavily on subjective self-reports and clinical observations of mood, energy, and activity levels. This can be challenging, especially in the early stages or when symptoms are subtle. Gait analysis offers a potential objective measure by analyzing movement patterns through parameters like gait speed, stride length, and force exertion. This biomechanical analysis aims to provide quantitative data that complements traditional methods, potentially leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. However, it is not a replacement for traditional methods, but rather an augmentation.