Innovative Closed-loop Functional Electrical Stimulation Control System for Augmenting Post-stroke Gait
Emory University
Summary
This study will compare the performance of a novel data-driven model-predictive controller (MPC) based functional electrical stimulation (FES) system versus a conventional FES system for footdrop correction during treadmill and overground walking tasks in people post-stroke.
Description
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a common rehabilitation tool that incorporates electrical stimulation timed with a functional task to augment paretic muscle function in people with neuro-pathologies such as stroke and spinal cord injury. The rigor of previous research has established the safety, as well as both neuro-prosthetic and therapeutic effects of FES systems for standing, walking, and grasping. Stroke is the leading cause of disability, and footdrop is a highly prevalent post-stroke gait deficit, leading to insufficient ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of gait, and…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 40–90 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * \>6 months since stroke * cortical or subcortical stroke * able to walk 10-meters with or without an assistive device * sufficient cardiovascular health and ankle stability to walk on treadmill without ankle orthosis * passive ankle range of motion to benefit from dorsiflexor FES assistance * resting heart rate 40-100 bpm Exclusion Criteria: * cerebellar signs * score \>1 on question 1b (does not know the current month and age) and \>0 on question 1c (can not blink eyes and squeeze hands) on NIH Stroke Scale * inability to communicate with investigators * neglect/hemia…
Interventions
- DeviceModel-Predictive Controller (MPC) Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
The model-predictive controller (MPC) determines the timing and intensity of electrical stimulation delivered for FES. MPC combined with real-time ultrasound-based feedback delivers optimal FES intensities and minimizes fatigue. FES is delivered to the ankle dorsiflexor muscles using a commercially available FDA-approved electrical stimulator.
- DeviceConventional Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
For functional electrical stimulation, surface electrodes are placed on the paretic leg on skin overlying the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle, with intensity pre-set to elicit dorsiflexion to neutral against gravity. FES will be delivered to the ankle dorsiflexor muscles using a commercially available FDA-approved electrical stimulator.
Location
- Emory Rehabilitation HospitalAtlanta, Georgia