Lateral balance control for robotic gait training

Bram Koopman, Jos Meuleman, Edwin H.F. van Asseldonk, Herman van der Kooij

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
3 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

For the rehabilitation of neurological patients robot-aided gait training is increasingly being used. Lack of balance training in these robotic gait trainers might contribute to the fact that they do not live up to the expectations. Therefore, in this study we developed and evaluated an algorithm to support lateral balance during walking, through controlling pelvis motions. This algorithm assists the pelvis, according to a natural pelvic sway pattern, rather than attracting it to the middle of the treadmill. The support algorithm was tested on six healthy young subjects who walked on a treadmill, while different support gains were introduced. Using a higher support gain resulted in a closer approximation of the pelvic sway towards the reference pattern. Step width and step width variability reduced when the external stabilization was provided, and the stability margin increased. This indicates that artificial stabilization reduces the need for active lateral balance control. The presented algorithm to support lateral balance provides a way to assist balance in a more physiological way, compared to attracting the subject to the centre of the treadmill. Here the user is attracted/assisted towards a more natural weight shift pattern. This also facilitates a more natural input of the load receptors, which are largely involved in the regulation of muscle activation patterns and the transitions between the different gait phases.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2013 IEEE 13th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, ICORR 2013, Seattle, U.S.A., 24-26 June 2013
Place of PublicationSeattle, U.S.A.
PublisherIEEE
Pages-
ISBN (Print)978-146736024-1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Jun 2013
EventIEEE 13th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, ICORR 2013: Design and Control of Robotic Exoskeletons with Compliant Joints and Actuation Systems - University of Washington , Seattle, United States
Duration: 24 Jun 201326 Jun 2013
Conference number: 13
https://depts.washington.edu/uwconf/icorr2013/

Publication series

Name
PublisherIEEE
ISSN (Print)1945-7898

Conference

ConferenceIEEE 13th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, ICORR 2013
Abbreviated titleICORR
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period24/06/1326/06/13
Internet address

Keywords

  • IR-90881
  • METIS-300449

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