Abstract-This paper describes a method that passively assesses basic walker-assisted gait characteristic, including heel strikes, toe-off events, as well as stride time, double support and right & left single support phases using only force-moment measurements from the walker's handles. The passively derived gait characteristics were validated against motion capture gait analysis and showed good correlations. This research is part of an effort that aims to identify user intent, from measuring forces and moments exerted on the handles of the walker as well as from perceiving the environment, and to incorporate identified intent into a passive shared steering control system for the walker. The primary focus of the work leading to this paper is to identify the double support phase, and to engage the steering control at the beginning of this phase to maximize the user's stability. However, the application of the method presented and the instrumented walker can be extended to longitudinal outside the lab Gait assessment.
In REF , Alwan et al. describe a method that assesses basic walker-assisted gait characteristics, including heel strikes, toe-off events, as well as stride time, double support and right and left single support phases.
Passive derivation of basic walker-assisted gait characteristics from measured forces and moments
The 26th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
The 26th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Computer Science Medicine