http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/9/1/62/abstract
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Virtual reality (VR) technology along with treadmill training (TT) can effectively
provide goal-oriented practice and promote improved motor learning in patients with
neurological disorders. Moreover, the VR + TT scheme may enhance cognitive engagement
for more effective gait rehabilitation and greater transfer to over ground walking.
For this purpose, we developed an individualized treadmill controller with a novel
speed estimation scheme using swing foot velocity, which can enable user-driven treadmill
walking (UDW) to more closely simulate over ground walking (OGW) during treadmill
training. OGW involves a cyclic acceleration-deceleration profile of pelvic velocity
that contrasts with typical treadmill-driven walking (TDW), which constrains a person
to walk at a preset constant speed. In this study, we investigated the effects of
the proposed speed adaptation controller by analyzing the gait kinematics of UDW and
TDW, which were compared to those of OGW at three pre-determined velocities.
Methods
Ten healthy subjects were asked to walk in each mode (TDW, UDW, and OGW) at three
pre-determined speeds (0.5 m/s, 1.0 m/s, and 1.5 m/s) with real time feedback provided
through visual displays. Temporal-spatial gait data and 3D pelvic kinematics were
analyzed and comparisons were made between UDW on a treadmill, TDW, and OGW.
Results
The observed step length, cadence, and walk ratio defined as the ratio of stride length
to cadence were not significantly different between UDW and TDW. Additionally, the
average magnitude of pelvic acceleration peak values along the anterior-posterior
direction for each step and the associated standard deviations (variability) were
not significantly different between the two modalities. The differences between OGW
and UDW and TDW were mainly in swing time and cadence, as have been reported previously
(Lee and Hidler, and Wass et. al.). Also, step lengths between OGW and TDW were different
for 0.5 m/s and 1.5 m/s gait velocities, and walk ratio between OGS and UDW was different
for 1.0 m/s gait velocities.
Conclusions
Our treadmill control scheme implements similar gait biomechanics of TDW, which has
been used for repetitive gait training in a small and constrained space as well as
controlled and safe environments. These results reveal that users can walk as stably
during UDW as TDW and employ similar strategies to maintain walking speed in both
UDW and TDW. Furthermore, since UDW can allow a user to actively participate in the
virtual reality (VR) applications with variable walking velocity, it can induce more
cognitive activities during the training with VR, which may enhance motor learning
effects
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