A novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained, unpredictable slip perturbations during gait
Abstract Background Task-specific perturbation training is a widely studied means of fall prevention, utilizing techniques that induce slips or slip-like perturbations during gait. Though effective, these methods only simulate narrow ranges within the larger space of possible slipping conditions enc...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-019-0602-0 |
| _version_ | 1818126441699606528 |
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| author | Corbin M. Rasmussen Nathaniel H. Hunt |
| author_facet | Corbin M. Rasmussen Nathaniel H. Hunt |
| author_sort | Corbin M. Rasmussen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Task-specific perturbation training is a widely studied means of fall prevention, utilizing techniques that induce slips or slip-like perturbations during gait. Though effective, these methods only simulate narrow ranges within the larger space of possible slipping conditions encountered in daily life. Here we describe and test a novel, wearable apparatus designed to address these limitations and simulate a diverse range of slipping disturbances. Methods The device consists of wireless triggering and detachable outsole components that provide adequate friction with the floor when secured to the wearer’s foot, but suddenly create a low-friction surface underfoot upon release. “Benchtop” tests were carried out to quantify device triggering characteristics (i.e. cutting temperature, release delay) and the resulting friction reduction. The device was also tested on six healthy young adults (3 female, age 23 ± 2.4 years), who walked with and without the device to observe how gait kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters were influenced, then performed 12 walking trials ending with a slip delivered by the device. Each participant also completed a survey to obtain opinions on device safety, device comfort, slip realism, and slip difficulty. A linear mixed effects analysis was employed to compare subject spatiotemporal parameters with and without the apparatus, as well as correlation coefficients and root mean square errors (RMSE) to assess the impact of the device on lower limb gait kinematics. Slip onset phases, distances, directions, velocities, and recovery step locations were also calculated. Results This device rapidly diminishes available friction from static coefficients of 0.48 to 0.07, albeit after a substantial delay (0.482 ± 0.181 s) between signal reception and outsole release. Strong correlations (R > 0.93) and small RMSE between gait kinematics with and without the device indicate minimal effects on natural gait patterns, however some spatiotemporal parameters were significantly impacted. A diverse range of slip perturbations and recovery steps were successfully elicited by the device. Conclusions Our results highlight the efficacy and utility of a wearable slipping device to deliver diverse slip conditions. Such an apparatus enables the study of unconstrained slips administered across the gait cycle, as well as during different locomotor behaviors like turning, negotiating slopes, and level changes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T07:01:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7f29f5c2f7f647b9aa9f1b1d7aa6ceb5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1743-0003 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T07:01:31Z |
| publishDate | 2019-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj.art-7f29f5c2f7f647b9aa9f1b1d7aa6ceb52022-12-22T01:16:37ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032019-10-0116111110.1186/s12984-019-0602-0A novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained, unpredictable slip perturbations during gaitCorbin M. Rasmussen0Nathaniel H. Hunt1Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at OmahaDepartment of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at OmahaAbstract Background Task-specific perturbation training is a widely studied means of fall prevention, utilizing techniques that induce slips or slip-like perturbations during gait. Though effective, these methods only simulate narrow ranges within the larger space of possible slipping conditions encountered in daily life. Here we describe and test a novel, wearable apparatus designed to address these limitations and simulate a diverse range of slipping disturbances. Methods The device consists of wireless triggering and detachable outsole components that provide adequate friction with the floor when secured to the wearer’s foot, but suddenly create a low-friction surface underfoot upon release. “Benchtop” tests were carried out to quantify device triggering characteristics (i.e. cutting temperature, release delay) and the resulting friction reduction. The device was also tested on six healthy young adults (3 female, age 23 ± 2.4 years), who walked with and without the device to observe how gait kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters were influenced, then performed 12 walking trials ending with a slip delivered by the device. Each participant also completed a survey to obtain opinions on device safety, device comfort, slip realism, and slip difficulty. A linear mixed effects analysis was employed to compare subject spatiotemporal parameters with and without the apparatus, as well as correlation coefficients and root mean square errors (RMSE) to assess the impact of the device on lower limb gait kinematics. Slip onset phases, distances, directions, velocities, and recovery step locations were also calculated. Results This device rapidly diminishes available friction from static coefficients of 0.48 to 0.07, albeit after a substantial delay (0.482 ± 0.181 s) between signal reception and outsole release. Strong correlations (R > 0.93) and small RMSE between gait kinematics with and without the device indicate minimal effects on natural gait patterns, however some spatiotemporal parameters were significantly impacted. A diverse range of slip perturbations and recovery steps were successfully elicited by the device. Conclusions Our results highlight the efficacy and utility of a wearable slipping device to deliver diverse slip conditions. Such an apparatus enables the study of unconstrained slips administered across the gait cycle, as well as during different locomotor behaviors like turning, negotiating slopes, and level changes.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-019-0602-0SlipsFallsBalanceTask-specific TrainingGaitPerturbations |
| spellingShingle | Corbin M. Rasmussen Nathaniel H. Hunt A novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained, unpredictable slip perturbations during gait Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation Slips Falls Balance Task-specific Training Gait Perturbations |
| title | A novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained, unpredictable slip perturbations during gait |
| title_full | A novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained, unpredictable slip perturbations during gait |
| title_fullStr | A novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained, unpredictable slip perturbations during gait |
| title_full_unstemmed | A novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained, unpredictable slip perturbations during gait |
| title_short | A novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained, unpredictable slip perturbations during gait |
| title_sort | novel wearable device to deliver unconstrained unpredictable slip perturbations during gait |
| topic | Slips Falls Balance Task-specific Training Gait Perturbations |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12984-019-0602-0 |
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