Earticle

초록

영어

The study aimed to develop a lightweight inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthosis and to investigate its preliminary clinical feasibility in an adolescent with crouch gait. A lightweight wearable orthosis integrating IMU sensors, plantar pressure sensors, a brushless DC motor, and synchronized FES was developed to provide real-time knee extension assistance according to gait phase. An adolescent with cerebral palsy and crouch gait participated in this single-case study. Static balance ability and gait function were evaluated before and while wearing the orthosis. The Balancia software program was used for static balance ability, and the BTS G-Walk system was used for walking. Usability and usefulness were assessed using a questionnaire. In the results, while wearing the orthosis, path velocity, path length, and path area decreased under both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, accompanied by a more symmetrical left–right weight distribution. Velocity and stride length increased, whereas the proportion of the stance phase decreased and the swing phase increased. Pelvic obliquity and rotation ranges were also reduced. The usability questionnaire demonstrated predominantly positive responses, with the highest ratings for perceived stability and ease of maintaining balance while wearing the orthosis. The proposed lightweight IMU-based FES orthosis demonstrated the potential to improve static balance ability, gait function, and user-perceived stability by providing real- time motor assistance and synchronized FES according to gait phase. Although limited by its single-case design, this study provides preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility and clinical potential of the proposed wearable orthosis and may serve as a foundation for future large-scale clinical studies.

목차

Abstract
Ⅰ. Introduction
Ⅱ. Methods
1. Case description
2. Inertial measurement units-based functional electrical stimulation gait assistance system
3. Measurements
4. Statistical analysis
Ⅲ. Results
1. Changes in static balance ability
2. Change in gait function
3. Questionnaire results
Ⅳ. Discussion
Ⅴ. Conclusion
References

키워드

저자

• Sun-Young Ha [ Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Kyungnam University ] Corresponding Author

참고문헌

발행기관

간행물

표지보기 관심저널 등록

• 간행물명

  한국신경근육재활학회지 [Korean Journal of Neuromuscular Rehabilitation]

• 간기

  계간

• pISSN

  2508-6456

• 수록기간

  2011~2026

• 등재여부

  KCI 등재

• 십진분류

  KDC 514 DDC 617