title: An ergonomic modular foot platform for isometric force/torque measurements in poststroke functional assessment: a pilot study.
abstract: The main goal of this article is to present the design, technical development, and preliminary validation of an innovative mechatronic device for force/torque measurements taken from the human foot using pilot data. The device, formed by a mobile platform equipped with two six-axis force/torque sensors, was used to perform accurate quantitative measurements during isometric exercises, aimed at performing functional assessment tests in poststroke patients undergoing a rehabilitation treatment. Results from pilot data provide a validation of the device. A large clinical trial has been planned to test whether the platform can be used in the clinical practice. We suggest that measurements of ground reaction forces taken from the foot of poststroke patients during the initiation of activities of daily living tasks can provide information about their motor recovery and enlighten possible areas of application, ranging from isometric motor exercise in neurorehabilitation to foot-based human-machine interface.
authors.affiliation: The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna-Polo Sant'Anna Valdera, Viale R. Piaggio, 34-56025 Pontedera, Pisa, Italy. s.mazzoleni@sssup.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzoleni
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Vaerenbergh
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stokes
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fazekas
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dario
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guglielmelli
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D019415:Torque; D014584:User-Computer Interface