Spatial perception assistance using TENS during walking and development of the portable device

Abstract

In this paper, an assistant system for improving spatial perception during walking is presented using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which is electrical stimulation via skin. In order to confirm the effectiveness of the assistance using our first prototype TENS device (ver. 1), a virtual space walk experiment was conducted for one participant, and the distances between the participant and obstacles were investigated. As a result, the effectiveness was confirmed by comparing the assistance case with the non assisted (U test, p<.05). Furthermore, a new portable TENS device (ver. 2) equipped with an ultrasonic distance measurement device and a wireless BLE communication device was developed in this study since the first TENS prototype device was not suitable for carrying due to the wired-style. The new device was able to be reduced to 2/3 (60×40 mm) size against the previous version