Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) often have poor balance control that is especially apparent during dynamic tasks such as gait initiation (GI). The purpose of this study was to investigate how balance symptoms due to MS alter spatiotemporal variables, coordination, and temporal margins within the stability boundary during gait initiation. Twelve women with MS (Expanded Disability Status...

The use of driven gait orthosis (DGO) has drawn attention in gait rehabilitation for patients after central nervous system (CNS) lesions. By imposing a passive locomotor-like kinematic pattern, the neural mechanisms responsible for locomotion can be activated as in a normal gait. To further enhance this activity, discussions on possible intervention are necessary. Given the possible functional ...

OBJECTIVE To assess the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of hemiplegic stroke patients' gait initiation patterns during the various gait initiation phases. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS Gait initiation was studied in 3 hemiplegic subjects with a spastic equinus varus foot and 3 control subjects. METHODS Temporal and kinetic analysis of gait initiation was performed with 2 AMTI force plates, and ...

OBJECTIVES To compare the effect of motor learning with that of standard exercise on measures of mobility and perceived function and disability. DESIGN Single-blind randomized trial. SETTING University research center. PARTICIPANTS Older adults (n = 40) with a mean age of 77.1 ± 6.0, normal walking speed (≥ 1.0 m/s), and impaired motor skills (Figure of 8 walk time >8 seconds). INTERVEN...

Walking pattern synthesis is carried out using a spline-based parametric optimization technique. Generalized coordinates are approximated by spline functions of class C3 fitted at knots uniformly distributed along the motion time. This high-order differentiability eliminates jerky variations of actuating torques. Through connecting conditions, spline polynomial coefficients are determined as a ...

Persons with quadriceps muscle weakness are often prescribed a knee-ankle-foot orthosis that locks the knee in full extension during both stance and swing phases of gait. Locking the knee results in abnormal gait patterns characterized by hip hiking and leg circumduction during swing. The stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis (SCKAFO), a new type of orthosis, has emerged that permits free kne...

Precise capture of plantar 3D surface of the foot at the loading gait phases on rigid substrates was found to be valuable for the assessment of the physiology, health and problems of the feet. Photogrammetry, a precision 3D spatial data capture technique is suitable for this type of dynamic application. In this research, the technique is utilised to study the plantar deformation as a result of ...

INTRODUCTION Gradual training has been shown to be an effective method to introduce gait perturbations. Previous studies have shown that, when compared to a sudden introduction of asymmetrical walking on a treadmill, gradual training results in efficient motor learning and balance control, and decreased cognitive demand during retention [1]. The kinetic strategies needed to affect these outcome...

This paper establishes a procedure for numerical analysis of a hip joint using the finite volume method. Patient-specific hip joint geometry is segmented directly from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging datasets and the resulting bone surfaces are processed into a form suitable for volume meshing. A high resolution continuum tetrahedral mesh has been generated, where a sandwich ...

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to describe spatial and temporal parameters during gait in pregnant women, and to compare it with women in post-partum and with a control group. METHODS To investigate alteration in natural locomotion, we used an electronic walkway (GAITRite system). Fifty-eight pregnant women (four last months of pregnancy), nine post-partum women and twenty-three heal...