Eva Swinnen1, Jean-Pierre Baeyens2, Kristel Knaepen3, Marc Michielsen4, Ron Clijsen5, David Beckwée6, Eric Kerckhofs7. 1. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research (RERE), Brussels, Belgium; Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: eswinnen@vub.ac.be. 2. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Biometry and Biomechanics (BIOM), Brussels, Belgium; University College Physiotherapy Thim van der Laan, Landquart, Switzerland. 3. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Menselijke Fysiologie (MFYS), Brussels, Belgium. 4. Jessa Hospital, Rehabilitation Center Sint-Ursula, Herk-de-Stad, Belgium. 5. University College Physiotherapy Thim van der Laan, Landquart, Switzerland. 6. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research (RERE), Brussels, Belgium. 7. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research (RERE), Brussels, Belgium; Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little attention has been devoted to the thorax and pelvis movements during gait. The aim of this study is to compare differences in the thorax and pelvis kinematics during unassisted walking on a treadmill and during walking with robot assistance (Lokomat-system (Hocoma, Volketswil, Switzerland)). METHODS: 18 healthy persons walked on a treadmill with and without the Lokomat system at 2kmph. Three different conditions of guidance force (30%, 60% and 100%) were used during robot-assisted treadmill walking (30% body weight support). The maximal movement amplitudes of the thorax and pelvis were measured (Polhemus Liberty™ (Polhemus, Colchester, Vermont, USA) (240/16)). A repeated measurement ANOVA was conducted. FINDINGS: Robot-assisted treadmill walking with different levels of guidance force showed significantly smaller maximal movement amplitudes for thorax and pelvis, compared to treadmill walking. Only the antero-posterior tilting of the pelvis was significantly increased during robot-assisted treadmill walking compared to treadmill walking. No significant changes of kinematic parameters were found between the different levels of guidance force. INTERPRETATION: With regard to the thorax and pelvis movements, robot-assisted treadmill walking is significantly different compared to treadmill walking. It can be concluded that when using robot assistance, the thorax is stimulated in a different way than during walking without robot assistance, influencing the balance training during gait.
BACKGROUND: Little attention has been devoted to the thorax and pelvis movements during gait. The aim of this study is to compare differences in the thorax and pelvis kinematics during unassisted walking on a treadmill and during walking with robot assistance (Lokomat-system (Hocoma, Volketswil, Switzerland)). METHODS: 18 healthy persons walked on a treadmill with and without the Lokomat system at 2kmph. Three different conditions of guidance force (30%, 60% and 100%) were used during robot-assisted treadmill walking (30% body weight support). The maximal movement amplitudes of the thorax and pelvis were measured (Polhemus Liberty™ (Polhemus, Colchester, Vermont, USA) (240/16)). A repeated measurement ANOVA was conducted. FINDINGS: Robot-assisted treadmill walking with different levels of guidance force showed significantly smaller maximal movement amplitudes for thorax and pelvis, compared to treadmill walking. Only the antero-posterior tilting of the pelvis was significantly increased during robot-assisted treadmill walking compared to treadmill walking. No significant changes of kinematic parameters were found between the different levels of guidance force. INTERPRETATION: With regard to the thorax and pelvis movements, robot-assisted treadmill walking is significantly different compared to treadmill walking. It can be concluded that when using robot assistance, the thorax is stimulated in a different way than during walking without robot assistance, influencing the balance training during gait.
Authors: Stephen Clive Hayes; Christopher Richard James Wilcox; Hollie Samantha Forbes White; Natalie Vanicek Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2018-02-05 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Eduardo Martin Moraud; Joachim von Zitzewitz; Jenifer Miehlbradt; Sophie Wurth; Emanuele Formento; Jack DiGiovanna; Marco Capogrosso; Grégoire Courtine; Silvestro Micera Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2018-01-08 Impact factor: 4.379