A Novel System with EMG-controlled FES Enhanced Gait Function and Energy Expenditure for Older Adults

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effect of wearable Electromyography-controlled functional electrical stimulation (EMG-controlled FES) System on Gait Function and cardiopulmonary metabolic efficiency during walking in older adults.Design: Cross-section study Methods: Total 22 older adult participants suitable to selection criteria of this study participated in this study.The EMG-controlled FES System, which functions as a wearable physical activity assist FES system was used.All participations performed randomly assigned two conditions (Non-FES assist [NFA], FES assist [FA]) of walking.In all conditions, spatio-temporal parameters and kinematics and kinetics parameters during walking was collected via 3D motion capture system and 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and metabolic cost during walking and stairs climbing was collected via a portable metabolic device (COSMED K5, COSMED Srl, Roma, Italy).Results: In Spatio-temporal parameters aspects, The EMG-controlled FES system significantly improved gait functions measurements of older adults with sarcopenia at walking in comparison to the NFA condition (P 0.05).Hip, knee and ankle joint range of motion increased ＜ at walking in FA condition compared to the NFA condition (P 0.05).In the FA condition, moment and ground reaction force was changed ＜ like normal gait during walking of older adults in comparison to the NFA condition (P 0.05).The EMG-controlled FES system ＜ significantly reduced net cardiopulmonary metabolic energy cost, net energy expenditure measurement at stairs climbing (P 0.05).＜ Conclusions: This study demonstrated that EMG-controlled FES is a potentially useful gait-assist system for improving gait function by making joint range of motion and moment properly.