Influence on walking dynamics of a gait training device that is connected through a lumbar belt

Abstract

The Walkaround is a passive hands-free walker that supports the posture during training of walking of hemiplegic individuals via a lumbar belt connected with three elastic suspensors. In this paper the reference 6D-motions of the belt are presented during healthy subjects' gait. The effects of the elastic connections of a subject to the walker on healthy gait were determined by assessing several gait parameters. The assessment preliminarily shows that this elastic connection mildly affects healthy gait, and assists in postural stability. The results also show that the Walkaround in the current form limits walking at normal speed. These results would suggest that actuation of the elastic connections is required for allowing walking that is healthy like.