This study was conducted to investigate changes in gait pattern that appear after somatosensory stimulation evoked by applying mechanical vibration to the ankle. The gait pattern was observed in a real time using a footswitch mounted on the soles of the feet in order to increase the effectiveness of vibration stimulation. Based on the observed gait pattern, the application site and time of vibration stimulation were determined. The changes in the gait pattern that appear after the application of vibration stimulation were analyzed by comparing the percentage of the gait cycle and the activation of the lower extremity muscles. This study was conducted on young adults, and the result showed that the gait cycle was changed according to the application site of vibrating stimulation, and that the vibration stimulation with intensity less than the threshold, induced a similar effect as shown in vibration stimulation with threshold intensity. The result of this study shows that vibration stimulation could be effectively utilized for gait correction and rehabilitation. It can be also used as basic data for inferring the correlation of the characteristics of vibration stimulation with gait variability.
In this study suggested a portable gait abnormality diagnosis system using a sensor signals that can identify the type of abnormality and a portable treatment system that can be used in everyday life. The gait abnormality diagnosis system is consisted of sensor and convert, a transmitter, a receiver and software. And the gait abnormality treatment system developed consists of a sensor, a signal processor, a power supply and hardware with vibratory stimulation applicator. The diagnosis and treatment system for gait abnormality designed in this study can be used for gait abnormality treatment in clinical practice. The diagnosis system for gait abnormality has many advantages. And the easy treatment option in daily life comes from accurate stimulation application sites and timings based on the diagnosis result.
This study was performed in order to detect biased gait being occurred due to vestibular abnormality by using a data of acceleration being generated at foot during gait. Characteristics of acceleration being generated during gait was observed by comparing movement analysis data that was collected in a process of performing biased gait and general gait through induction of galvanic vestibular stimulation with acceleration data and biased direction and degree could be inferred through cumulative value of acceleration data by integrating it. As a result, it could be inferred that detecting gait bias after analyzing gait trajectory by using acceleration of left, right direction would be a feasible method. A significance of this study could be found in that a new possibility of utilizing acceleration was presented in an analysis of gait utilizing acceleration data. It is expected that the result of this study would be utilized for detecting abnormal gait that may be taken place by malfunction or damage of sensory receptor such as vestibular organ.
The gait disorder system for the elderly that applies external stimulation often shows only limited patient outcomes, while prescribed medicines or physical therapies performed by professional therapists are effective in improving sensory functions and the ability to walk of the elderly. One alternative that could be considered in solving this problem is applying additional stimulation from outside of the body onto the sensory receptors distributed on the skin, inducing improvement in the ability to walk and in other motor capabilities that allow the elderly to perform routine tasks. The purpose of this study is to measure the reactions of the body to stimulation applied to the somatosensory system, which is related to the surface of the human body, and to apply such measurements to improve one's ability to walk.
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