Passive Exoskeleton Footwear to Improve Walking Performance in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease
Presenter Type
UNO Undergraduate Student
Major/Field of Study
Biomechanics
Advisor Information
Senior Research Associate
Location
CEC RM #201/205/209
Presentation Type
Poster
Poster Size
48x36
Start Date
22-3-2024 10:30 AM
End Date
22-3-2024 11:45 AM
Abstract
Introduction - Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) causes leg pain, known as claudication, due to reduced blood flow to leg muscles caused by narrowed arteries from plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). Assistive devices can improve walking performance in patients with PAD. This study analyzed the influence of passive Exoskeleton Footwear (EF) on walking capacity and muscle oxygen saturation in the calf muscle among patients diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) using regression analysis.
Methods – Seven patients with PAD were evaluated while walking during four conditions, wearing the EF at two stiffness levels (5.6 kN/m) and (7.9 kN/m), one condition in which the subjects wore the EF with no assistance, and one normal walking condition (no EF). Patients' walking capacity was assessed with Initial Claudication Time (ICT) and Absolute Claudication Time (ACT). ICT represents the duration until the onset of leg claudication, while ACT denotes the point at which the participant can no longer continue walking due to pain. Muscle oxygen saturation was evaluated using a PortaMon Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) device attached to the back of the calf muscle. A backward linear regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between walking capacity and muscle oxygenation under various conditions during a progressive treadmill test. One-way repeated measure ANOVA was also performed to observe the changes in muscle oxygenation outcomes as well as walking capacity across different conditions.
Results and Discussion - Because of the limited sample size, no significant differences were noted in either walking capacity or muscle oxygenation across various conditions. Walking capacity improved by 15% and 9% for the two assisted conditions with stiffness levels of 5.6 kN/m and 7.9 kN/m, respectively, while the other variables displayed mixed changes. Based on the outcomes of the linear regression analysis, employing EF resulted in a reduction of the R-squared value, indicating a decrease in the proportion of variance explained in the dependent variables (ICT and ACT). Using the EF aided in alleviating strain on the lower extremity muscles, based on high muscle oxygenation values. The findings of this study hold promise for the utilization of assistive devices in PAD patient care.
Passive Exoskeleton Footwear to Improve Walking Performance in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease
CEC RM #201/205/209
Introduction - Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) causes leg pain, known as claudication, due to reduced blood flow to leg muscles caused by narrowed arteries from plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). Assistive devices can improve walking performance in patients with PAD. This study analyzed the influence of passive Exoskeleton Footwear (EF) on walking capacity and muscle oxygen saturation in the calf muscle among patients diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) using regression analysis.
Methods – Seven patients with PAD were evaluated while walking during four conditions, wearing the EF at two stiffness levels (5.6 kN/m) and (7.9 kN/m), one condition in which the subjects wore the EF with no assistance, and one normal walking condition (no EF). Patients' walking capacity was assessed with Initial Claudication Time (ICT) and Absolute Claudication Time (ACT). ICT represents the duration until the onset of leg claudication, while ACT denotes the point at which the participant can no longer continue walking due to pain. Muscle oxygen saturation was evaluated using a PortaMon Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) device attached to the back of the calf muscle. A backward linear regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between walking capacity and muscle oxygenation under various conditions during a progressive treadmill test. One-way repeated measure ANOVA was also performed to observe the changes in muscle oxygenation outcomes as well as walking capacity across different conditions.
Results and Discussion - Because of the limited sample size, no significant differences were noted in either walking capacity or muscle oxygenation across various conditions. Walking capacity improved by 15% and 9% for the two assisted conditions with stiffness levels of 5.6 kN/m and 7.9 kN/m, respectively, while the other variables displayed mixed changes. Based on the outcomes of the linear regression analysis, employing EF resulted in a reduction of the R-squared value, indicating a decrease in the proportion of variance explained in the dependent variables (ICT and ACT). Using the EF aided in alleviating strain on the lower extremity muscles, based on high muscle oxygenation values. The findings of this study hold promise for the utilization of assistive devices in PAD patient care.