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Complex muscle vibration patterns to induce gait-like lower-limb movements: Proof of concept

This study aims to test the feasibility of delivering complex vibrations in a time-organized manner and illustrate the possibility of inducing gait-like movements using these vibrations. Muscle vibrations can induce motor responses and complex movement illusions, but inducing gait-like movements requires multiple fast alternating vibrations. The study used vibration patterns based on normal gait kinematics, applied by 12 vibrators on lower-limb muscles. The results show that electromechanical vibrators can deliver complex vibrations and trigger gait-like movements, suggesting the potential use of these vibration patterns in gait rehabilitation for individuals with sensorimotor impairments.

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Complex muscle vibration patterns to induce gait-like lower-limb movements: Proof of concept

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  1. Complex muscle vibration patterns to induce gait-like lower-limb movements: Proof of concept Cyril Duclos, PhD; Claire Kemlin, MSc; David Lazert, MSc; Dany Gagnon, PhD; Joseph-Omer Dyer, PhD; Robert Forget, PhD

  2. Aim • Test feasibility of delivering complex vibrations in time-organized manner. • Illustrate possibility of inducing alternate gait-in-place-like movements using these vibrations. • Relevance • Muscle vibrations can induce motor responses and illusions of complex movements. • However, inducing gait-like cyclical movements and illusions requires application of multiple fast alternating vibrations to lower-limb muscles.

  3. Method • Patterns of vibration were based on normal gait kinematics. • Produced by 12 vibrators applied bilaterally on lower-limb flexors and extensors. • Tested 1 s and 2 s cycle patterns of vibration. • Vibrator responses were assessed and compared between patterns. • Used auto- and crosscorrelations and frequency analyses based on accelerometry measurements.

  4. Results • Vibrators showed good response to control signal: • High auto- (>0.8) and crosscorrelation (>0.06) coefficients. • Vibrations induced cyclical, low-amplitude stepping-in-place movements that mimicked alternate walking movements with both legs, with 1 s and 2 s cycle durations, in: • 1 nondisabled participant. • 1 participant with spinal cord injury, standing, relaxed, with body-weight support.

  5. Conclusion • Electromechanical vibrators can: • Deliver complex cyclical vibrations. • Trigger gait-like lower-limb movements. • Results warrant application of these vibration patterns on individuals with sensorimotor impairments to test their potential in gait rehabilitation.

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