| Author/Editor | Erzin, Robert; Bajd, Tadej; Kralj, Alojz R; Šavrin, Rajmond; Benko, Helena | |
| Title | Influence of sensory biofeedback on FES assisted walking | |
| Translated title | Vpliv senzorne povratne zanke na hojo paraplegikov s funkcionalno električno stimulacijo | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Elektroteh vestn | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 63, št. 1 | |
| Publication year | 1996 | |
| Volume | str. 53-60 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | A paraplegic person can walk a minimum of four channels of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and crutch support. While visual feedback can provide information for taking appropriate voluntary control actions, the patient's preserved sensory capabilities can additionally be utilized by introducing artificial sensory feedback in the form of electrical stimuli to the non-paralyzed upper body. This sensory feedback information has been related to two important walking tasks: continuation into the next walking phase after successfully accomplishing the previous movement of the lower limb (reward) and prevention of falling (warning). The sensory feedback system described here consists of lower limb transducers with processing devices providing appropriate input signals for a personal computer. The patient's gait parameters are recorded by lightweight strain gauge goniometers attached to the knees and foot-switches positoned under the toes and heels. The computer controls a two channel sensory stimulator providing an electrotactile stimulation signal of 5 Hz (warning) or 50 Hz (reward). The lower limb sensory feedback stimulation system was tested in three completely paralyzed spinal cord injured subjects with thoracic lesions to the spinal cord. The recorded gait parameters were assessed for a period of one week prior to and three weeks after the introduction of the sensory biofeedback system. Cadence and duration of double limb support phase were recorded at the end of each experiment and compared with the initial measurements. The average improvement in walking perofrmance while using the sensory biofeedback system was 15% for the T-3,4 subject, 30% for T-7,8 and over 100% for T12 subject. | |
| Descriptors | PARAPLEGIA ORTHOTIC DEVICES ELECTRIC STIMULATION THERAPY WALKING FEEDBACK |