Light-Weight Wearable Gyroscopic Actuators Can Modulate Balance Performance and Gait Characteristics: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Author:

Sterke Bram T.12ORCID,Poggensee Katherine L.12ORCID,Ribbers Gerard M.13ORCID,Lemus Daniel2ORCID,Vallery Heike124ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands

2. Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands

3. Rijndam Revalidatie, Westersingel 300, 3015 LJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands

4. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Rhine-Westphalia Technical University of Aachen, 52062 Aachen, Germany

Abstract

Falling is a major cause of morbidity, and is often caused by a decrease in postural stability. A key component of postural stability is whole-body centroidal angular momentum, which can be influenced by control moment gyroscopes. In this proof-of-concept study, we explore the influence of our wearable robotic gyroscopic actuator “GyroPack” on the balance performance and gait characteristics of non-impaired individuals (seven female/eight male, 30 ± 7 years, 68.8 ± 8.4 kg). Participants performed a series of balance and walking tasks with and without wearing the GyroPack. The device displayed various control modes, which were hypothesised to positively, negatively, or neutrally impact postural control. When configured as a damper, the GyroPack increased mediolateral standing time and walking distance, on a balance beam, and decreased trunk angular velocity variability, while walking on a treadmill. When configured as a negative damper, both peak trunk angular rate and trunk angular velocity variability increased during treadmill walking. This exploratory study shows that gyroscopic actuators can influence balance and gait kinematics. Our results mirror the findings of our earlier studies; though, with more than 50% mass reduction of the device, practical and clinical applicability now appears within reach.

Funder

U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, NIDRR-RERC

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research

Medical Delta collaboration

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Health Information Management,Health Informatics,Health Policy,Leadership and Management

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