MUSCLE STIMULATION METHOD AND SYSTEM TO IMPROVE WALKING

摘要

In a method and a system of providing walking assistance and/or therapy to a person with impaired gait, electrical stimulation is applied to muscles of a leg that effect dorsiflexion. and plantar flexion of the ankle of the leg. The timing of the electrical stimulation is determined from gait event signals developed from sensors under the heel and forepart of the foot of the other leg. In the method and the system, the electrical stimulation is enabled when the person is sensed to be active and is disabled when the person is sensed to be inactive. The method and the system are applicable to persons having unilateral or bilateral impairment of their walking ability.