Gait performance and foot pressure distribution during wearable robot-assisted gait in elderly adults

Abstract

BackgroundA robotic exoskeleton device is an intelligent system designed to improve gait performance and quality of life for the wearer. Robotic technology has developed rapidly in recent years, and several robot-assisted gait devices were developed to enhance gait function and activities of daily living in elderly adults and patients with gait disorders. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Gait-enhancing Mechatronic System (GEMS), a new wearable robotic hip-assist device developed by Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd., Korea, on gait performance and foot pressure distribution in elderly adults.MethodsThirty elderly adults who had no neurological or musculoskeletal abnormalities affecting gait participated in this study. A three-dimensional (3D) motion capture system, surface electromyography and the F-Scan system were used to collect data on spatiotemporal gait parameters, muscle activity and foot pressure distribution under three conditions: free gait without robot assistance (FG), robot-assisted gait with zero torque (RAG-Z) and robot-assisted gait (RAG).ResultsWe found increased gait speed, cadence, stride length and single support time in the RAG condition. Reduced rectus femoris and medial gastrocnemius muscle activity throughout the terminal stance phase and reduced effort of the medial gastrocnemius muscle throughout the pre-swing phase were also observed in the RAG condition. In addition, walking with the assistance of GEMS resulted in a significant increase in foot pressure distribution, specifically in maximum force and peak pressure of the total foot, medial masks, anterior masks and posterior masks.ConclusionThe results of the present study reveal that GEMS may present an alternative way of restoring age-related changes in gait such as gait instability with muscle weakness, reduced step force and lower foot pressure in elderly adults. In addition, GEMS improved gait performance by improving push-off power and walking speed and reducing muscle activity in the lower extremities.Trial registration NCT02843828.

What Do Older Adults and Clinicians Think About Traditional Mobility Aids and Exoskeleton Technology?

“…Improving walking function is therefore an important focus when developing exoskeletons for older adults. Lab studies with older adults showed that the Gait Enhancing Mechatronic System (GEMS)-a wearable hip exoskeleton that provides walking assistance-can improve gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic efficiency and reduce muscle effort [13,14]. In other work, seven older adult men walked on a treadmill at a constant speed for 50 minutes both with and without wearing a robotic hip exoskeleton called the Stride Assistance System (SAS) [31].…”

Wearable Hip-assist Robot Modulates Cortical Activation during Gait in Stroke Patients: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study

“…The Gait Enhancing and Motivating System-Hip (GEMS-H), developed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon, Republic of Korea), is a hip-type robotic exoskeleton. Our previous studies showed that GEMS-H improved gait function, muscle efficiency, and cardiopulmonary metabolic efficiency [7][8][9][10]. However, it is not yet known how GEMS-H assisted gait training modulates cortical activity of stroke patients.…”

Wearable Hip-assist Robot Modulates Cortical Activation during Gait in Stroke Patients: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study

“…The Gait Enhancing and Motivating System-Hip (GEMS-H), developed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon, Republic of Korea), is a hip-type robotic exoskeleton. Our previous studies showed that GEMS-H improved gait function, muscle e ciency, and cardiopulmonary metabolic e ciency [7][8][9][10]. However, it is not yet known how GEMS-H assisted gait training modulates cortical activity of stroke patients.…”