Hermie Hermens | PubMed Health

PubMed2002

Standing balance evaluation using a triaxial accelerometer.

This paper presents a new inherently triaxial accelerometer-based system for determining the ability to maintain balance while standing. In this study, the accelerometer was placed at the back of the subject at the approximate height of the centre of mass. The data were processed to obtain five performance parameters. Paired t-tests indicated that the accelerometer measurements were able to distinguish between the different test conditions as well as or better than simultaneous AMTI force platform measurements (P < or = 0.05). The accelerometer system is fully portable, independent of inclination in space, low-cost and allows long term measurements of standing balance.

Electrophysiology↗

PubMed2002

An implantable two channel drop foot stimulator: initial clinical results.

This article reports preliminary results of pilot studies of a new implantable two channel drop foot stimulator. The stimulator consists of an externally worn transmitter inductively coupled to an implanted receiver unit located in the lower leg, lateral and distal to the knee. The receiver is connected to electrodes located under the epineurium of the deep and the superficial peroneal nerves. Stimulation is triggered by detection of heel lift and terminated at heel strike in a manner similar to surface mounted systems. The location of the electrodes allows for a degree of selectivity over the resultant moment about the ankle joint that is not possible with surface stimulation of the common peroneal nerve. The two subjects used the stimulator on a regular basis and showed increases in walking speed of between 10% and 44% when compared to their baseline measurements. Isometric tests have demonstrated that the stimulator allows selective and repeatable stimulation of ankle joint muscles.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗