Avoiding deleterious effects of exoskeletal assistance in people with Stiff-Knee Gait after stroke

Assistive technology for the lower extremities has shown great promise towards improving gait function in people after stroke. However, the effectiveness of assistive technologies depends on the specific neuromuscular impairments and is not well understood. This case study analyzes the gait in an individual with post-stroke Stiff-Knee Gait using a knee flexion torque assistance device. The assistance is provided during each step and can result in a spastic quadriceps response. The analysis quantifies the torque threshold where the spastic response occurs. Quantification of the deleterious effects of such abnormal neuromuscular response can help improve development of new gait assistance strategies.