Integration of Wearable Sensors and Electrical Muscle Stimulation in Lower Limb Robotics for Gait Rehabilitation

Abstract

Combining wearing devices with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) in robotic lower limbs has shown promise in helping people learn how to walk again. This new method blends the benefits of smart technology and EMS to help people with neurological or joint problems improve their motor function and walking patterns. Wearable devices, like inertial measurement units (IMUs) and electromyography (EMG) monitors, record information about how the body moves and what muscles are doing while the person moves. These monitors give the user and the therapy team feedback in real time, which makes it possible for personalized and flexible recovery plans. Data from personal monitors can also be used to look at how people walk and see how they're doing over time. EMS is used to target certain muscles and make them stronger, more coordinated, and easier to control. By combining EMS with robots for the lower limbs, therapists can focus on certain muscle groups and make recovery routines more successful. EMS can also be timed to move with the robotic suit to help the person walk in a more natural and useful way. Wearable sensors and EMS work well together in lower limb robots for many reasons. EMS therapy can be made more specific and flexible because wearing monitors let doctors change the frequency and strength of the therapy in real time. The person is also encouraged to be more involved with this method because they get instant feedback on their actions and can see how they're doing over time. The combining wearing sensors and EMS in lower limb robots has a lot of promise to make gait therapy work better. Future study should focus on finding the best ways to combine these tools and looking at how they affect the quality of life and ability to walk for people who have movement problems in the long run.