Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Masataka Yamamoto, Koji Shimatani, Hitoshi Okano, Hiroshi Takemura
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between AFO stiffness and ankle muscle force during gait, finding that the magnitude of AFO stiffness decreased the required ankle muscle force during gait. The research can contribute to more effective gait rehabilitation using AFO and customized fabrication of AFO with tailored stiffness for individual gait function.
Article
Biophysics
Joanna Reeves, Richard Jones, Anmin Liu, Leah Bent, Christopher Nester
Summary: This study found that different geometric design features of foot orthoses (FOs) can affect muscle activation, with FOs incorporating medial wedging significantly reducing tibialis posterior electromyography (EMG) amplitude and external ankle eversion moment. This specific FOs geometric feature has the potential to alter muscle activation patterns and may facilitate tendon healing in cases of tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sumiko Yamamoto, Naoyuki Motojima, Yosuke Kobayashi, Yuji Osada, Souji Tanaka, Aliyeh Daryabor
Summary: This study compared the effects of using an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with plantarflexion stiffness but without dorsiflexion resistance (AFO-OD) and a nonarticulated AFO on gait improvement in stroke patients. The results showed that the AFO-OD group exhibited greater improvement in ankle joint kinematics and kinetics compared to the nonarticulated AFO group. However, the results of peak power absorption varied greatly among patients.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Max K. Shepherd, Ann M. Simon, Joey Zisk, Levi J. Hargrove
Summary: This study aimed to investigate patient preferences for lower limb prosthetic behavior, particularly focusing on alignment during level-ground walking and ankle angles during ramp ascent and descent. The results showed that patients can finely perceive ankle alignment, which can provide baseline behaviors for prosthetic ankles capable of adapting to patient preferences.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Grace Marconi, Alpha Agape Gopalai, Sunita Chauhan
Summary: This simulation study investigated the effects of mass and mass distribution of powered ankle-foot orthoses on net joint moments and individual muscle forces in the lower limb. Ten subjects' gait cycles were analyzed using OpenSim tools. It was found that distributing the mass of the orthosis more distally and posteriorly on the leg negatively impacted net joint moments and overall lower limb muscle forces. However, individual muscle forces showed varying results due to factors such as the flow-on effect of the orthosis, antagonistic muscle pairing, and interplay between individual muscles. The optimization of mass and mass distribution of powered ankle-foot orthoses can better mimic natural kinetics, reducing net joint moments and overall muscle forces, while considering individual muscles to prevent muscle fatigue or disuse.
MEDICAL & BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING & COMPUTING
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Pavinee Harutaichun, Mantana Vongsirinavarat, Phrattaya Pakpakorn, Paiboon Sathianpantarit, Jim Richards
Summary: This study investigated the biomechanical effects of two designs of orthotic wedges on individuals with plantar fasciitis. The results showed that the wedges can change lower limb kinematics and multi-segment foot kinematics, potentially reducing pain and symptoms during walking.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Rishabh Bajpai, Deepak Joshi
Summary: This study aims to develop a neural network (foot2hip) that improves user comfort in long-term recording of gait kinematics. Foot2hip predicts ankle, knee, and hip joint angle profiles using foot kinematics and kinetics. The results show that foot2hip has encouraging prediction performance and is suitable for most clinical and personal applications.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lysanne A. F. de Jong, Yvette L. Kerkum, Tom de Groot, Marije Vos-van der Hulst, Ilse J. W. van Nes, Noel L. W. Keijsers
Summary: The study found that IMU placed on the anterior side of the shank accurately measures the Shank-to-Vertical Angle (SVA) and is responsive to changes in ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). Validity of SVA measured with IMU is high during midstance, and significant differences in SVA were observed between different heel heights. Additionally, knee joint angle and moment showed concomitant changes compared to SVA due to changing heel height.
Article
Neurosciences
Yusuke Sekiguchi, Keita Honda, Dai Owaki, Shin-Ichi Izumi
Summary: Categorization based on quasi-joint stiffness (QJS) can help clinicians select appropriate ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) for patients after stroke. The study classified gait patterns based on ankle joint stiffness into three subgroups, with significant differences in the proportion of AFO, articulated AFO, and non-articulated AFO used among the subgroups.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
A. Q. L. Keemink, T. J. H. Brug, E. H. F. van Asseldonk, A. R. Wu, H. van der Kooij
Summary: The study aimed to validate and extend a reflex-based neuromuscular model to replicate human kinematics and kinetics during walking in perturbed and unperturbed conditions. By optimizing the model with a control module based on whole body center of mass velocity feedback, it successfully improved the replication of human ankle torque response, showing promise for advanced controllers of prosthetic and orthotic devices.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Narathip Chaobankoh, Tallit Jumphoo, Monthippa Uthansakul, Khomdet Phapatanaburi, Bura Sindthupakorn, Supakit Rooppakhun, Peerapong Uthansakul
Summary: In this study, a human ankle-foot movement classification method using a two-dimensional convolutional neural network based on low-cost EMG sensors was proposed. By converting EMG signals into spectrograms and utilizing 2D-CNN for classification, accurate identification of ankle-foot movement types was achieved. The results demonstrated an average accuracy of 99.34%, indicating the feasibility of the method for walking.
CMC-COMPUTERS MATERIALS & CONTINUA
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Morten Bilde Simonsen, Rogerio Pessoto Hirata, Ketill Naesborg-Andersen, Peter Derek Christian Leutscher, Kim Horslev-Petersen, James Woodburn, Michael Skipper Andersen
Summary: This study compared the changes in lower limb and foot mechanics between two commonly used foot orthoses and a control group. The results showed that custom-made foot orthoses had a greater impact on gait mechanics compared to prefabricated foot orthoses, reducing ankle plantarflexion and eversion moments and forefoot plantar pressure.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Julio S. Lora-Millan, Mahdi Nabipour, Edwin van Asseldonk, Cristina Bayon
Summary: Assistive ankle-foot orthoses (AAFOs) are powerful solutions for gait assistance or rehabilitation. This research analyzes the latest AAFO technologies and categorizes the different approaches into clusters based on their basis and working principles. It also reviews the purpose and experimental validation of the devices, providing insights into their technology readiness level. The reviewed designs, limitations, and future directions in this field are summarized and discussed.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Thiago R. T. Santos, Vanessa L. Araujo, Anne Khuu, Sangjun Lee, Cara L. Lewis, Thales R. Souza, Kenneth G. Holt, Sergio T. Fonseca
Summary: This study found that fast walking may require non-uniform changes in dynamic stiffness among lower limb joints, with the knee and hip increasing their stiffness at fast speeds. Gender only influenced ankle stiffness, with males having greater stiffness than females.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Calvin C. Ngan, Harry Sivasambu, Sandra Ramdial, Jan Andrysek
Summary: Advancements in digital imaging technologies have the potential to transform the way residual limb shapes are captured in prosthetic practices. This study developed a shape capture process for transradial residual limbs and found it to be highly repeatable and reliable. Future work should compare the differences between residual limb shapes captured through digital and manual methods.