An accelerometry-based comparison of 2 robotic assistive devices for treadmill training of gait.
OBJECTIVE
Two commercial robotic devices, the Gait Trainer (GT) and the Lokomat (LOKO), assist task-oriented practice of walking. The gait patterns induced by these motor-driven devices have not been characterized and compared.


METHODS
A healthy participant chose the most comfortable gait pattern on each device and for treadmill (TM) walking at 1, 2 (maximum for the GT), and 3 km/h and over ground at similar speeds. A system of accelerometers on the thighs and feet allowed the calculation of spatiotemporal features and accelerations during the gait cycle.


RESULTS
At the 1 and 2 km/h speed settings, single-limb stance times were prolonged on the devices compared with overground walking. Differences on the LOKO were decreased by adjusting the hip and knee angles and step length. At the 3 km/h setting, the LOKO approximated the participant's overground parameters. Irregular accelerations and decelerations from toe-off to heel contact were induced by the devices, especially at slower speeds.


CONCLUSIONS
The LOKO and GT impose mechanical constraints that may alter leg accelerations-decelerations during stance and swing phases, as well as stance duration, especially at their slower speed settings, that are not found during TM and overground walking. The potential impact of these perturbations on training to improve gait needs further study.
Regnaux
Jean-Philippe
JP
Department of Adult Neurologic Rehabilitation, Hopital Raymond Poincare, Garches, France.
Saremi
Kaveh
K
Marehbian
Jon
J
Bussel
Bernard
B
Dobkin
Bruce H
BH
D000054:Acceleration; D000465:Algorithms; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology