The Effect of Saddle-Assistive Device on Improving the Gait Parameters of Patients with the Lower Limbs Weakness: A Pilo
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Journal of Bionic Engineering http://www.springer.com/journal/42235
The Effect of Saddle-Assistive Device on Improving the Gait Parameters of Patients with the Lower Limbs Weakness: A Pilot Study Akbar Hojjati Najafabadi1*, Saeid Amini2, Farzam Farahmand3 1. Mechanical Engineering Department, Islamic Azad University Majlesi branch, Majlesi 8631656451, Iran 2. Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Kashan, Kashan 8731753153, Iran 3. Mechanical Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Teheran 1458889694, Iran
Abstract To help walking, using assistive devices can be considered to reduce the loads caused by weight and to effectively decrease the propulsive forces. In this study, a mobility Saddle-Assistive Device (S-AD) supporting body weight while walking was evaluated on two healthy volunteers. This device is based on the support of body weight against gravity with the help of a saddle, which is not used in other passive mobility assistive devices. To prove the efficiency of this device, the experimental results obtained while walking with this device were compared with those related to walking without the assistive device. The results showed that this device could significantly reduce the forces and torque of the lower and upper limbs when walking. By distributing the load on the saddle, the vertical force and the propulsive force in the best conditions were decreased to 46.7% and were increased to 13.7% in body weight, respectively. Using a S-AD can help patients with lower limbs weakness and elderly people to walk. Keywords: mobility assistive device, lower limbs weakness, body weight support, force and torque, gait analysis Copyright © Jilin University 2020.
1 Introduction Failure to stand up and apply residual force to the body causes mental injury, independence in function, and problems such as bone fractures, pressure sores and osteoporosis[1]. Weakness in the lower limbs is increased with age, resulting in some limitations[2]. Using the passive or active assistive devices can be considered to strengthen and compensate for the lost power[3]. In addition, it can improve and enhance the physical strength[4], i.e., it can be achieved by keeping the muscles active and under load. People with the lower limbs weakness-including the elderly, Parkinson’s, or lower extremity fractures – mainly use a walker during the Sit-to-Stand (STS) transfer, causing additional load to be applied to the upper limbs, resulting in pain and fatigue[4]. Also, while standing up and walking, compensation for the weakness of the lower limbs relay on the walker and the upper limbs have a tendency to move to the front resulting in imbalance, fall[5] and the increased back pain[6]. The increased weakness in the lower limbs also enhances the *Corresponding author: Akbar Hojjati Najafabadi E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
amount of force on the upper limbs. Increasing the force and applying it on the upper limbs, in the long run, can discourage the use of these devices, such that they would be r
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