THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION DEVICE ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING GAIT IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Authors

Ine Mylle, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow
Olivia D. Perrin, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow
Alyssa J. Rebensburg, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow
Cathy Ruprecht, Upper Peninsula Health System Rehab ServicesFollow
Lynn Vanwelsenaers, Teter Orthotic and ProstheticFollow
Kim Spranger, Upper Peninsula Health System Rehab ServicesFollow
Randall L. Jensen, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow
Sarah B. Clarke, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow

Category

Rehabilitation

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

This study examined the acute effect of a novel rehabilitation device, NewGait™, on muscle activation in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Through electromyography, muscle activation of the vastus medialis (VM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) was measured in seventeen patients (n=17). Three trials were conducted in each condition: a 10-meter control walk and 10-meter NewGait™ walk. Results showed a non-significant change in muscle activity with moderate effect sizes in the right VM (increase of 39.72% MVC, p=0.082, d=0.626) and right TA (decrease of 12.71% MVC, p=0.069, d=0.427). In general, no change in muscle activation was noted when wearing the NewGait™ device. Future research should include a larger sample size and differentiation between the stance phases to accurately measure the outcomes of the NewGait™ device on muscle activation.

Recommended Citation

Mylle, Ine; Perrin, Olivia D.; Rebensburg, Alyssa J.; Ruprecht, Cathy; Vanwelsenaers, Lynn; Spranger, Kim; Jensen, Randall L.; and Clarke, Sarah B. (2018) "THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION DEVICE ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING GAIT IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 126.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol36/iss1/126