Feasibility of Augmenting Ankle Exoskeleton Walking Performance With Step Length Biofeedback in Individuals With Cerebral Palsy.

ABSTRACT: Most people with cerebral palsy (CP) suffer from impaired walking ability and pathological gait patterns. Seeking to improve the effectiveness of gait training in this patient population, this study developed and assessed the feasibility of a real-time biofeedback mechanism to augment untethered ankle exoskeleton-assisted walking performance in individuals with CP. We selected step length as a clinically-relevant gait performance target and utilized a visual interface with live performance scores. An adaptive ankle exoskeleton control algorithm provided assistance proportional to the real-time ankle moment. We assessed lower-extremity gait mechanics and muscle activity in seven ambulatory individuals with CP as they walked with adaptive ankle assistance alone and with ankle assistance plus

SUBMITTER: Fang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7968126 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature