IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
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IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng · Nov 2016
Tone Entropy Analysis of Augmented Information Effects on Toe-Ground Clearance When Walking.
Minimum toe clearance (MTC) is an event approximately mid-swing in the walking cycle that is critical for preventing unintended foot contact with surface irregularities ("tripping"). Treadmill-based gait training for older adults was undertaken using real-time augmented information to increase foot-ground clearance at MTC (MTC height). Ten young (Y) (Age: 23±2 year) and ten older (O) (Age: 76±9 year) participants undertook 10 min preferred speed treadmill walking (baseline) followed by 20 min with MTC height information (training) and 10 min without augmented information (retention). ⋯ T and E measures of MTC height considered separately discriminated the age groups only in baseline but distinctive "clusters" were observed in tone versus entropy plots indicating characteristically different patterns of MTC adjustment over step cycles. Treadmill training with MTC height augmented information is a practical intervention for reducing tripping in older people and others with gait impairments. T-E analysis is useful for identifying characteristics of lower limb control with ageing that have not been previously recognized in studies employing traditional statistical analysis of the MTC event.