Wearable, Real-Time Gait Analysis and Tactile Biofeedback System for Biomechanical Gait Optimization and Retraining

Abstract

This work describes a wearable tactile feedback system that performs real-time gait analysis based on plantar pressure sensor data and provides concurrent time-discrete tactile feedback instructing the user towards biomechanical gait improvements. Gait analysis algorithms were developed that evaluate and provide feedback to modulate stance time symmetry, gait cadence, and medial-lateral center of pressure distribution. The performance of the gait analysis algorithms have been verified relative to a commercial high-resolution plantar pressure sensing system, and a human subject with a unilateral trans-tibial amputation has demonstrated an improvement in stance time symmetry with instructive feedback relative to both no feedback and direct biofeedback of plantar pressures. This finding supports the feasibility of instructive feedback based on real-time gait analysis and supports the further development of wearable closed-loop feedback systems as gait rehabilitation tools.