The design of a functional assessment and gait analysis facility for rehabilitation studies

Abstract

A general functional assessment and gait facility has been designed for use in all aspects of measurement of handicap. The functional assessment course contains various features to assess the ability of subjects with different handicaps to sit, take off and apply orthotic or prosthetic devices, climb ramps and steps, negotiate corners, and doors with different locking and opening mechanisms. Incorporated in the middle of the walking section of the course is a force plate to assess the mechanical function of orthoses or prostheses by a force vector visualization system. A visual analogue scoring system of the quality of performance of the various tasks encountered on the functional assessment course as well as the freely selected speed and fastest walking in a straight line has been adopted. This visual analogue score is marked after analysing the video record obtained from a mobile colour camera. The doors, ramps and walking area are wide enough to assess wheelchair use. We have adopted a 'gait graph' for the gait analyses using a 10m straight walkway and measuring the temporal parameters at free speed walking and the fastest walking speed. Energy cost is measured using heart rate monitoring by telemetry on the functional assessment course and during gait analysis. It is proposed to use this facility for the assessment and management of lower limb bracing in children, patients undergoing corrective surgery on the lower limb and for wheelchair users.