Versatile GCH Control Software for Correction of Loads Applied to Forearm Crutches During Gait Recovery Through...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Clinical Measurement

Background:

• Accurate weight-bearing measurement is crucial for lower limb injury recovery.
• Forearm crutches are commonly used for partial to full weight-bearing rehabilitation.
• There is a need for feasible load monitoring methods in daily clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design GCH Control Software, a multifunctional desktop tool for instrumented forearm crutches.
• To monitor applied loads, display real-time data, and provide feedback for gait correction.
• To conduct a preliminary implementation trial of the software.

Main Methods:

• Software development for indoor clinical/laboratory use, translating sensor signals to force units.
• Real-time data recording, analysis (10-80 Hz), and display of load curves.
• Implementation of diverse extrinsic feedback (visual, acoustic) and a pilot study with 10 healthy subjects using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Main Results:

• Baseline load errors (96/100) and overloading (7/10 subjects) were observed without feedback.
• Feedback significantly reduced errors, with progressive improvement across walks (54/100 to 14/100 errors).
• All subjects improved load accuracy, load balance, and fluency, with some requiring additional specific feedback.

Conclusions:

• GCH Control Software effectively monitors forearm crutch loads and corrects accuracy, balance, and fluency via feedback.
• The software is a useful tool for gait rehabilitation and load monitoring.
• Further clinical trials with larger samples are recommended to validate feedback efficacy.