Exploring How the Arms Can Help the Legs in Facilitating Gait Rehabilitation

Inspired by the ideas from the fields of gait rehabilitation, neuroscience, and locomotion biomechanics and energetics, a body of work is reviewed that has led to propose a conceptual framework for novel “self‐assistive” walking devices that could further promote walking recovery from incomplete spi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced biology 2024-06, Vol.8 (6), p.e2300661-n/a
Main Authors: Arellano, Christopher J., Vega, Daisey
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arm - physiology
arm‐leg coupling
assistive device
Biomechanical Phenomena - physiology
biomechanics
Gait - physiology
Gait Disorders, Neurologic - physiopathology
Gait Disorders, Neurologic - rehabilitation
Humans
Leg
lower limb disorder
neural coupling
Self-Help Devices
Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology
Spinal Cord Injuries - rehabilitation
spinal cord injury
walking
Walking - physiology
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Summary:Inspired by the ideas from the fields of gait rehabilitation, neuroscience, and locomotion biomechanics and energetics, a body of work is reviewed that has led to propose a conceptual framework for novel “self‐assistive” walking devices that could further promote walking recovery from incomplete spinal cord injuries. The underlying rationale is based on a neural coupling mechanism that governs the coordinated movements of the arms and legs during walking, and that the excitability of these neural pathways can be exploited by actively engaging the arms during locomotor training. Self‐assistive treadmill walking rehabilitation devices are envisioned as an approach that would allow an individual to actively use their arms to help the legs during walking. It is hoped that the conceptual framework inspires the design and use of self‐assistive walking devices that are tailored to assist individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury to regain their functional walking ability. Incorporating the use of the arms when designing novel devices for gait rehabilitation can be key for promoting walking recovery in individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury. In this perspective piece, the neurophysiological, biomechanical, and metabolic basis for the active use of the arms in gait rehabilitation is considered.
ISSN:2701-0198
2701-0198
DOI:10.1002/adbi.202300661