Faculty Collaboration Database

Walker-assisted gait in rehabilitation: a study of biomechanics and instrumentation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2001 Mar;9(1):96-105

Date

08/03/2001

Pubmed ID

11482369

DOI

10.1109/7333.918282

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0034895740 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   73 Citations

Abstract

While walkers are commonly prescribed to improve patient stability and ambulatory ability, quantitative study of the biomechanical and functional requirements for effective walker use is limited. To date no one has addressed the changes in upper extremity kinetics that occur with the use of a standard walker, which was the objective of this study. A strain gauge-based walker instrumentation system was developed for the six degree-of-freedom measurement of resultant subject hand loads. The walker dynamometer was integrated with an upper extremity biomechanical model. Preliminary system data were collected for seven healthy, right-handed young adults following informed consent. Bilateral upper extremity kinematic data were acquired with a six camera Vicon motion analysis system using a Micro-VAX workstation. Internal joint moments at the wrist, elbow, and shoulder were determined in the three clinical planes using the inverse dynamics method. The walker dynamometer system allowed characterization of upper extremity loading demands. Significantly differing upper extremity loading patterns were identified for three walker usage methods. Complete description of upper extremity kinetics and kinematics during walker-assisted gait may provide insight into walker design parameters and rehabilitative strategies.

Author List

Bachschmidt RA, Harris GF, Simoneau GG

Authors

Gerald Harris PhD Director in the Orthopaedic Research Engineering Center (OREC) department at Marquette University
Guy Simoneau PhD Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Arm
Biomechanical Phenomena
Body Weight
Elbow Joint
Equipment Design
Female
Functional Laterality
Gait Disorders, Neurologic
Humans
Leg
Male
Models, Biological
Shoulder Joint
Walkers
Weight-Bearing
Wrist Joint