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Comparison of virtual and physical treadmill environments for training stepping after spinal cord injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2003

W. K. Timoszyk ,
R. D. de Leon ,
N. London ,
R. Joynes ,
K. Minakata ,
R. R. Roy ,
V. R. Edgerton  and
D. J. Reinkensmeyer
W. K. Timoszyk
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 92697-3975 (USA)
R. D. de Leon
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Sciences and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1760 (USA)
N. London
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Sciences and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1760 (USA)
R. Joynes
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Sciences and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1760 (USA)
K. Minakata
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 92697-3975 (USA)
R. R. Roy
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Sciences and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1760 (USA)
V. R. Edgerton
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Sciences and Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1760 (USA)
D. J. Reinkensmeyer
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 92697-3975 (USA)
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Abstract

We are developing robotic devices for locomotion training after spinal cord injury. In this paper, we compare two approaches to controlling and quantifying bipedal stepping of spinal rats with robots. In the first approach, the rats stepped on a physical treadmill with robot arms attached to their lower shanks. In the second, the rats stepped on a virtual treadmill generated by the robots. The rats could step on the virtual treadmill, but stepping was more consistent, step height greater, and interlimb coordination improved on the physical treadmill. Implications for the role of sensory input in the control of locomotion and the design robotic of step trainers are discussed.

Keywords

Treadmill environmentsStepping trainingSpinal cord injuryRobotic devices
Type
Research Article
Information
Robotica , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , January 2003 , pp. 25 - 32
Copyright
© 2003 Cambridge University Press

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