Pairing limb posture feedback with an ankle exoskeleton to augment limb propulsion.

ABSTRACT: Limb propulsion deficits are common in a variety of clinical populations and may arise from a decreased plantarflexor moment and/or decreased trailing limb angle (TLA). Ankle exoskeletons (EXOs) can augment plantarflexor moment, but observations of a concurrently reduced TLA has limited the conversion of increased plantarflexor moment to increased propulsion in people following stroke. The purpose of this study was to assess the interaction of unilateral EXO (plantarflexor) assistance and TLA feedback on gait propulsion, joint mechanics, and margins of stability. Ten young, unimpaired individuals walked on an instrumented treadmill with the EXO worn but unpowered to obtain baseline peak TLA. Participants then walked with visual feedback of TLA while attempting to match a target peak TLA of

SUBMITTER: Thompson SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12543136 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature