An Accelerometry-Based Comparison of 2 Robotic Assistive Devices for Treadmill Training of Gait
By Regnaux, Jean-Philippe; Saremi, Kaveh; Marehbian, Jon; Bussel, Bernard; Dobkin, Bruce H.; Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 348-354Publication Date: July/August 2008
Study undertaken to characterize and compare gait patterns induced by two motor-driven assistive devices used for task-oriented practice of walking after stroke. The robotic devices used were the Lokomat, a treadmill-based actuated exoskeleton that adjusts to the dimensions of the thigh and lower leg; and the Gait Trainer, an elliptical device that controls the movement of the user through an overhead harness and foot plates. The IDEEA Accelerometer System, comprised of 5 accelerometers attached to the thighs and feet, was used to calculate spatiotemporal features and acceleration of the gait cycle of the study participant, a healthy 55-year-old male. The participant chose the most comfortable gait pattern on each device at 1, 2 (which was maximum for the Gait Trainer), and 3 kilometers per hour (km/h), and over ground at similar speeds. At the 1 and 2 km/h speed settings, single-limb stance times were found to be prolonged on the devices compared to over-ground walking. Differences on the Lokomat were decreased by adjusting the hip and knee angles and step length. At the 2 km/h setting, the Lokomat approximated the participant’s over-ground parameters. Irregular accelerations and decelerations from toe-off to heel contact were found to be induced by the devices, especially at slower speeds. The study concludes that the Lokomat and the Gait Trainer impose mechanical constraints that may alter gait patterns, especially at their lower speed settings, the potential impact of which on gait training needs further study.
Assistive Products Discussed: IDEEA
LOKOMATPRO (VERSIONS 5 & 6)
Published by: Sage Publications (Website:http://www.sagepub.com)
American Society of Neurorehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.asnr.com )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J55323
