Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

10 p.

Publication Date

3-2001

Publisher

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

Source Publication

IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering

Source ISSN

1534-4320

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1109/7333.918282

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.

Comments

Accepted version. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 1 (March 2001): 96-105. DOI: © 2001 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Used with permission.

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