Foot Drop: Categorisation and Analysis of Corrective Measures

脚下垂是一种对生活质量有很大影响的疾病，因为它会影响步态和行动能力。足部下垂是指背屈(向上运动)显著减少，导致非常明显的“拍打步态”。导致这种情况的原因有很多(如中风或神经紊乱)，因此脚下垂的治疗方法多种多样。治疗足下垂的一些主要方法包括功能性电刺激(FES)、踝足矫形器(AFO)和手术干预。该项目致力于使用VICON运动捕捉硬件和软件分析脚下垂个体的步态，并使用Delsys软件记录肌电信号。在某种形式的袜子上使用加速计和磁力计可以获得进一步的信息，然而，任何设计的袜子在获得使用认证方面都将面临挑战。由于该项目是与NHS(弗里曼医院)联合进行的，因此将可以访问步态评估服务的数据。维康使用的运动捕捉设备依赖于在不同角度设置的几个摄像头来获得空间的全景。然后，这些摄像头使用海伦·海斯/牛津足部模型拍摄放置在关键点(如膝盖、脚踝)上的红外标记。在步行试验期间，可以使用该设置测量许多参数，包括步态速度和关键的脚和脚踝角度。根据所记录的角度和速度，可以计算出其他数据。肌电记录可以与使用表面电极的运动捕捉评估同步进行。这些数据将被用来对病情进行分类，并比较治疗前后的情况。所有数据都将被观察和比较，任何差异都将被注意到。然后，将尝试整理这些数据，以用于预测对具有特定分类的个人进行特定治疗的成功结果。这将使用统计分析(使用R编程语言)来完成，具体情况取决于获得的参与者数量。与NHS的联系对这项研究将非常重要，因为他们可以获得大量的治疗前和治疗后数据。此外，获得医学知识和经验的机会在理解特定模式和为数据增加更多背景方面将非常有用。该项目的最后阶段涉及设计治疗战略，考虑到已经收集的数据，并确定当前治疗的任何问题。该项目的目的不仅是为从机械/电气角度分析足部下垂提供一个新的视角，而且还有助于为临床环境中使用的方案提供信息。弗里曼医院的足部和脚踝服务将执行一些为脚部下垂患者制作有用报告的方案。

Foot drop is a condition that can have a large impact on quality of life due to its effect on gait and mobility. Foot drop is the condition where dorsiflexion (upward motion) is reduced significantly resulting in a very distinct "slap gait". There are many causes for this condition (such as stroke or nerve disorders), so the treatment of foot drop is varied. Some of the main treatments for foot drop include Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) and surgical interventions. This project is concerned with analysing gait in individuals with foot drop using Vicon motion capture hardware and software and EMG signal recording using Delsys software. Further information may be obtained using accelerometers and magnetometers on some form of sock, however anything designed will face challenges in being certified for use. As this project is in conjunction with the NHS (Freeman Hospital) there will be access to the data from the gait assessment service. The motion capture equipment used with Vicon relies on several cameras set up at different angles to obtain a full picture of the space. These cameras then pick up infrared markers placed on key points (e.g. knees, ankles) using the Helen Hayes/Oxford foot model. During a walking trial many parameters can be measured using this set up, including gait speeds and key foot and ankle angles. Additional data can be calculated as a result of the angles and speeds recorded. The EMG recordings can be done in tandem with the motion capture assessments using surface electrodes.This data will then be used to categorise the condition and compare before and after treatment. All data will be observed and compared, and any differences will be noted. There will then be an attempt to collate this data to use to predict the success outcomes of specific treatments with an individual with a particular categorisation. This will be done using a statistical analysis (using the R programming language), the specifics of this are dependent on the number of participants acquired. The link with the NHS will be very important for this research, as they have access to a large amount of pre and post treatment data. Also, the opportunity to have access to medical knowledge and experience would be very useful in making sense of particular patterns and adding more context to the data. The final stage of the project involves design of a treatment strategy taking into account the data already collected and identifying any issues with current treatment. This project aims to not only provide a novel insight into the analysis of foot drop from a mechanical/electrical perspective but also help to inform the protocol used in a clinical setting. The foot and ankle services in the Freeman Hospital will implement some of the protocol produced in order to produce useful reports for foot drop patients.