Physiological modulation of gait variables by an active partial body weight support system

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Traditional partial body weight support (PBWS) systems for rehabilitation are passive.
• Neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies often require gait rehabilitation.
• Active PBWS systems offer potential for dynamic, individualized support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an actively controlled PBWS system's ability to provide modulated support.
• To investigate the impact of modulated support on gait dynamics.
• To compare modulated support with constant support and unsupported walking.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an instrumented treadmill and motion capture system.
• Compared gait parameters in six healthy adults under unsupported, constant support (20% BW), and modulated support (20% BW during loading response) conditions.
• Analyzed sagittal plane hip and ankle kinematics and kinetics.

Main Results:

• Constant support significantly altered hip and ankle kinematics and reduced stride length compared to unsupported walking.
• Modulated support showed no significant differences in these kinematic parameters compared to unsupported walking.
• Constant support decreased ankle power generation and absorption, while modulated support increased ankle power absorption.

Conclusions:

• Actively controlled PBWS can provide clinically relevant modulated support synchronized to gait events.
• Modulated support preserves natural gait dynamics better than constant support.
• Active PBWS systems offer potential for novel and improved rehabilitation applications.