Paraplegic standing supported by FES-controlled ankle stiffness

Jaime, R.P., Matjacic, Z. and Hunt, K.J. (2002) Paraplegic standing supported by FES-controlled ankle stiffness. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 10(4), pp. 239-248.

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to investigate whether a paraplegic subject-is able to maintain balance during standing by means of voluntary and reflex activity of the upper body while being supported by closed loop controlled ankle stiffness using FES. The knees and hips of the subject were held in extended positions by a mechanical apparatus, which restricted movement to the sagittal plane. The subject underwent several training sessions where the appropriate level of stiffness around the ankles was maintained by the mechanical apparatus. This enabled the subject to learn how to use the upper body for. balancing. After the subject gained adequate skills closed-loop FES was employed to regulate ankle stiffness, replacing the stiffness provided by the apparatus. A method to control antagonist muscle moment was implemented. In subsequent standing sessions, the subject had no difficulties in maintaining balance. When the FES, support was withheld, the ability to balance was lost.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: UNSPECIFIED
• Authors: Jaime, R.P., Matjacic, Z., and Hunt, K.J.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
• Publisher: IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC
• ISSN: 1534-4320
• Copyright Holders: © Copyright IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC
• First Published: First published in Ieee Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 10(4):239 - 248
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher