Abstract:

BACKGROUND: At present, gait analysis is the main method to measure the joint angles of the patients when walking. However, these measurements in each rehabilitation period are time-consuming. Gait rehabilitation robot Lokomat can real-time record the joint angles and muscle parameters during exercise which is convenient.
OBJECTIVE: To measure the lower limbs angle parameter of elderly in different speeds by gait rehabilitation robot Lokomat.
METHODS: Thirty healthy elderly were selected as the research subjects, including 15 men and 15 women. The age was ranged from 60 to 64 years (62.40±1.58). The lower limbs angle parameters of the elderly were recorded under the conditions of 40% weight losing and 60% guidance force and in the speed of 1.6 km/h, 1.8 km/h and 2.0 km/h, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Results of dynamic parameters of the subjects showed that there was significant difference of the maximum left hip extension angle under the speed of 1.6 km/h, and there was significant difference of the bilateral hip flexion angle under the speed of 2.0 km/h between male and female groups (P < 0.05). Measurement results of knee and hip joint of elderly under different speeds showed that there was significant difference of the maximum bilateral knee joint extension angle under the speed of 1.6 km/h and 1.8 km/h, 1.6 km/h and 2.0 km/h, 1.8 km/h and 2.0 km/h (P < 0.05). The maximum hip flexion angle in men was greater than that in women under different speeds. Therapists should adjust the joint angle and the training mode of hip and knee joint based on the gender when giving the Lokomat gait rehabilitation training. With the increasing of the hip and knee flexion angle, the extension angle is decreased, and the therapists should adjust the range of motion according to different walking speeds, in order to enhance the co-ordination of leg movements in patients with robot exoskeleton mechanical leg and improve the training effect.