title: A novel body weight support system extension: initial concept and simulation study.
abstract: Body weight supported treadmill training is an approach to gait rehabilitation following a stroke or spinal cord injury. Although lateral control of balance is an important aspect of walking, many of the currently available body weight support systems have a fixed pulley configuration which can lead to lateral forces being developed in the supporting cables, interfering with the lateral balance task. In this paper, a novel extension for body weight support systems, used for treadmill walking, is presented which features a system of pulleys and trolleys. A model is developed for the device along with a basic feedback controller in order to enable simulation of the concept. The lateral forces induced by the novel system are greatly reduced in comparison to a fixed pulley system. This device has applications in balance training within gait rehabilitation programs.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pennycott
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vallery
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wyss
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spindler
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dewarrat
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riener
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*