Title :
An assessment of the ORLAU ParaWalker-electrical stimulation hybrid orthosis
Author_Institution :
ORLAU, Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopedic Hospital, Oswestry, UK
Abstract :
Reciprocal locomotion with the ParaWalker was augmented by surface electrical stimulation of stance side gluteal muscles in three subjects. Crutch impulse and energy cost measurement revealed a considerable reduction in the vertical crutch impulse (mean 21%) and moderate reduction in the energy cost of their locomotion (mean 7.1%) with electrical stimulation. Cocontraction of anterior abdominal wall musculature hindered achievement of maximal contraction of the gluteal muscles. Subjects also found difficulty in accessing the electrodes sites and self-adhesive electrodes became loose due to perspiration. The hybrid orthotic system seems worth considering because in the long-term, stimulation of gluteal muscles may have a beneficial physiological effect
Keywords :
bioelectric phenomena; biomechanics; orthotics; ORLAU ParaWalker-electrical stimulation hybrid orthosis; anterior abdominal wall musculature; electrode loosening; electrode sites access; energy cost; locomotion; long-term muscular stimulation; muscular cocontraction; reciprocal locomotion; self-adhesive electrodes; stance side gluteal muscles; vertical crutch impulse; Costs; Electrical stimulation; Electrodes; Energy measurement; Hip; Hospitals; Leg; Legged locomotion; Muscles; Orthopedic surgery;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1989. Images of the Twenty-First Century., Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in
Conference_Location :
Seattle, WA
DOI :
10.1109/IEMBS.1989.96063
