Biofeedback Amputee Rehabilitation
The VA Palo Alto and the Adamson Lab has joined forces with Dr. Matt Leinweber, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering in San Jose State in this innovative study using biofeedback to support the rehabilitation of amputees.
Asymmetric Limb Loading
Individuals with lower-limb amputations often adapt their walking patterns to alleviate pain or discomfort in their amputated limb, increase their feeling of stability, or overcome functional deficincies in their prosthetic device.
These adaptations can cause asymmetric limb loading, which makes them up to three times more likely to experience secondary conditions and joint degneration, such as osteoarthritis.
Biofeedback training may help decrease the likelihood of these secondary conditions by enabling patients to receive real-time information on the quality of their movements, as well as simple instructions on how to adjust any incorrect motions to improve their walking.
Research Study Aims
The goal of this study is to evaluate
(1) how well individuals with above-knee amputations respond to this type of biofeedback training, and
(2) how long their corrected movements persist after biofeedback training has ended.
This work is funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Progra (OPORP).
Biofeedback Process
Sensors placed on the pelvis (P) and thigh (T) measure the hip angle (θ) in real time during walking.
When the user extends their hips enough, the system vibrates to produce a “buzz” that informs the user they have achieved their target.
(A) Individuals produce movement through walking, running, etc.
(B) Sensors monitor that movement and produce vibration stimuli to alert the user about the quality of their movements.
(C) The nervous system receives, interprets, and acts on those stimuli to adjust their movements as necessary.
During biofeedback training, (i) Individuals produce movement through walking, running, etc. (ii) Sensors monitor that movement and produce vibration stimuli to alert the user about the quality of their movements (iii) The nervous system receives, interprets, and acts on those stimuli to adjust their movements as necessary.
Our study uses the SageMotion Haptic Biofeedback system, which consists of small wearable sensors strapped to the user’s lower-back and thigh.
Each sensor is capable of both measuring motion and providing vibration stimuli to the user.
Sensors placed on the pelvis (P) and thigh (T) measure the hip angle (θ) in real time during walking.
When the user extends their hips enough, the system vibrates to produce a “buzz” that informs the user they have achieved their target.