Session 3C: Using GPS data as a Measure of Community Mobility among Individuals with Lower Extremity Orthotic Devices
Session Number
Session 3C: 4th Presentation
Advisor(s)
K. Chaithanya Mummidisetty, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Location
Room A151
Start Date
28-4-2017 1:15 PM
End Date
28-4-2017 2:30 PM
Abstract
Often, people afflicted with neurological, neuromuscular, or orthopedic impairments such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or trauma are prescribed a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) for walking. KAFOs, however, cause abnormal gait and extended use leads to chronic pain among other problems. Other orthotic devices, specifically the stance controlled orthotic device (SCO) and the microprocessor controlled C-brace, have sought to improve both gait and physiological energy efficiency. Another topic of interest in determining the efficacies of these devices is community mobility, or, how and where people using these devices go within their communities. To measure this, GPS sensors were used to track consenting subjects for 1 month periods while the subject used each device. In addition to GPS sensors, accelerometers were also used to help eliminate non-walking periods of travel from the analysis. The study found that subjects spent more time at home when using the KAFO, but no other trends were established in this study. The analysis was limited by the small number of subjects in addition to the possible effects of weather on the data. As the study continues, more subjects will be tested and the effects of seasonal changes will be considered as more data is collected.
Session 3C: Using GPS data as a Measure of Community Mobility among Individuals with Lower Extremity Orthotic Devices
Room A151
Often, people afflicted with neurological, neuromuscular, or orthopedic impairments such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or trauma are prescribed a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) for walking. KAFOs, however, cause abnormal gait and extended use leads to chronic pain among other problems. Other orthotic devices, specifically the stance controlled orthotic device (SCO) and the microprocessor controlled C-brace, have sought to improve both gait and physiological energy efficiency. Another topic of interest in determining the efficacies of these devices is community mobility, or, how and where people using these devices go within their communities. To measure this, GPS sensors were used to track consenting subjects for 1 month periods while the subject used each device. In addition to GPS sensors, accelerometers were also used to help eliminate non-walking periods of travel from the analysis. The study found that subjects spent more time at home when using the KAFO, but no other trends were established in this study. The analysis was limited by the small number of subjects in addition to the possible effects of weather on the data. As the study continues, more subjects will be tested and the effects of seasonal changes will be considered as more data is collected.
Comments
Additional team members: Dr. Arun Jayaraman