Tools For Understanding And Optimizing Robotic Gait Training

November 21, 2006 – 10:08 pm | posted in Medical Devices, Neurology / Neuroscience

We reviewed tools developed by our research groups to improve understanding of the mechanisms of locomotor adaptation during gait training following spinal cord injury, with a view toward implementing locomotor training with robotic devices.

Studies with these tools are helping guide development of a robotic device and appropriate control algorithms for human gait training. Using an instrumented orthosis to measure the forces and motion applied by human trainers, we aimed to identify the impedance control and timing features associated with eliciting better stepping.

We will also refine our computational models to provide theoretical guidance for developing training algorithms and to make our assumptions and hypotheses mathematically concrete.

Our results suggest that an optimal gait-training robot will minimize disruptive sensory input, facilitate appropriate sensory input and gait mechanics, and intelligently grade and time its assistance.

Tools for understanding and optimizing robotic gait training, pg. 657 (PDF)

About the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD

JRRD has been a leading research journal in the field of rehabilitation medicine and technology for more than 40 years. JRRD, a peer-reviewed, scientifically indexed journal, publishes original research papers, review articles, as well as clinical and technical commentary from U.S. and international researchers on all rehabilitation research disciplines. JRRD’s mission is to responsibly evaluate and disseminate scientific research findings impacting the rehabilitative healthcare community.

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