Assessing the effect of walking with a linkage-based gait trainer by analysing muscle activation

Kazuto Kora, Sarah Ward, Andrew McDaid

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter in a published conference proceeding

Abstract

In recent years many robotic gait rehabilitation devices have been developed and shown promise, but are not readily available to most patients due to high costs. The Linkage design Gait Trainer (LGT) was developed to be affordable and effective for use during early post-stroke gait rehabilitation. While the device can guide the paretic foot through correct gait pattern when performing walking exercise, the effect on lower limb muscle activation is unknown. Muscle activation during walking with the LGT may be reduced due to the constraint imposed by the mechanism, and the walking pattern may differ from the design due to users having their own well established independent gait pattern. To evaluate the performance of the device, a pilot study with five participants was conducted. Results indicate that muscle activation while walking with the LGT was much less compared to normal overground walking, and the difference in the peak muscle activation was statistically significant. Additionally peak muscle activation was occurring at different points in the gait cycle, suggesting different walking pattern. Additionally, there was large difference in the activation pattern between participants, however the timing of the peaks were generally not statistically significant.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMeMeA 2018 - 2018 IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications, Proceedings
PublisherIEEE
ISBN (Print)9781538633915
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Aug 2018
Event13th IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications, MeMeA 2018 - Rome, Italy
Duration: 11 Jun 201813 Jun 2018

Conference

Conference13th IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications, MeMeA 2018
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period11/06/1813/06/18

Keywords

  • EMG
  • gait rehabilitation
  • robotic rehabilitation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Health Informatics
  • Instrumentation

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