Gait rehabilitation: a new biofeedback device for monitoring and enhancing weight-bearing over the affected lower limb.

Full Abstract

AIM:
Gait rehabilitation programs often require either partial weight-bearing (PWB) or encourage full weight-bearing (FWB) on the affected limb. Until recently, there was no objective and practical way to measure correct weight-bearing during ambulation. The present study evaluates a new in-shoe device (SmartStep, Andante Medical Devices Ltd.) for measuring the amount of weight on the affected limb and for biofeedback gait training.

METHODS:
The first part of the study aimed to establish the validity of the SmartStep by comparing the results obtained from this device with the results obtained from a force plate. The second part aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the SmartStep as a biofeedback method in patients who have been referred for FWB gait rehabilitation. Analysis was based on independent samples t-test and chi squared test for evaluating statistically significant differences between the 2 gait rehabilitation modes.

RESULTS:
The SmartStep could repeat the same results with 0.53 kg error of mean. Statistically significant correlation was found between results obtained from the SmartStep and from the force plate (R2=0.9067 and P=0.004). The use of the SmartStep auditory biofeedback, significantly (P=0.00031) improved patients' weight-bearing over the affected limb in the experimental group (7.9 kg +/-5.28) as compared to the control group (0.7+/-2.41 kg).

CONCLUSIONS:
The SmartStep proved to be very reliable since it generated significant repeatable results which correlated significantly with those obtained from a force plate. Patients recommended for FWB gait can significantly improve body weight loading over the affected limb by the use of the SmartStep auditory biofeedback.

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Author information

Author/s: Isakov, E (E);

Affiliation: Kinesiology Laboratory, Orthopedic Rehabilitation Department, Loewenstein Hospital, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ra'anana, Israel. elii(-atsign-)clalit.org.il

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Europa medicophysica (Eura Medicophys), published in Italy. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 43 (issue 1) : pp 21-6

Dates: Created 2007/03/19; Completed 2007/09/04; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 17021589, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Amputees - rehabilitation
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - rehabilitation
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - rehabilitation
Biofeedback (Psychology) - instrumentation
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Exercise Therapy - instrumentation; methods
Female
Femoral Fractures - rehabilitation

Gait - physiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Monitoring, Physiologic - instrumentation
Movement Disorders - rehabilitation
Orthopedic Equipment - standards
Reproducibility of Results
Walking - physiology
Weight-Bearing - physiology

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