Development of Training Support System for Gait Function Recovery in Apoplectic Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia Using Sensors Mounted on Lower Extremities

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The purpose of this study was to develop an inexpensive and compact gait training support system using motor sensors worn on lower extremities.First, in order to evaluate the level of gait improvement achieved by this system, we analyzed gait movements of apoplectic stroke patients with hemiplegia using three-dimensional images. Based on this, we were able to select several evaluation items that are highly correlated with walking speed, which is often used to evaluate the gait of paralytic patients. Among the evaluation items measured using sensors attached to the lower extremities, it was found that the standing time measured by a load sensor attached to the sole of the patient's foot and the angular velocity peak value of the swing phase of a paralytic leg using an angular velocity sensor represent appropriate evaluation methods for the gait training system.The gait function recovery training support system developed based on this knowledge measures the grounding time and swing time of the leg movement via a load sensor attached to the lower extremity and feeds back vibration stimuli to the leg muscles of the swinging paralytic leg, thereby promoting recovery of the gait functions. At the same time, this system feeds back the result of the gait training in real time based on the grounding time and swing time judged by the load sensor, along with information from an angular velocity sensor worn on the side of the lower thigh.The system was tested in practice at the rehabilitation center of our university hospital, and it was found to be effective for some apoplectic stroke patients with hemiplegia.