File
Dubois M1, Elmgren Frykberg G2, Ullenhag A3
1Region Västmanland, Clinic of Rehabilitation Medicine, Västerås, Sweden, 2Uppsala University, Department of Neuroscience/Rehabilitation Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden, 3Mälardalen University, Department of Physiotherapy, Västerås, Sweden
Background: To improve gait is an important part of stroke rehabilitation. Gait training should take place in the patient's natural environment and benefits from the use of behavioral change techniques. A more symmetrical gait pattern is beneficial. How can it be achieved? Smart insoles have been developed through a process of innovation from prevailing evidence about stroke rehabilitation, theories about motor learning and behavioral change techniques. This technical solution with sensors in the patient's shoes can provide visual feedback of gait symmetry via an application in the patient's mobile phone.
Purpose: To explore the feasibility of self-monitoring using smart insoles during gait training in every day walking post stroke.
Methods: A feasibility study with mixed method. The study included five community living persons with stroke aged 38-61. The intervention contained six weeks home training with smart insoles in combination with follow-ups with a physiotherapist. Data was mainly obtained from a focus group interview, logbooks and gait measurements. The focus group interview had an inductive approach and was analyzed by qualitative content analysis.
Results: The participants were satisfied with the smart insoles but wanted them to be easier to put on with one hand. There are suggestions on how the technology could be more user friendly. The study shows that the smart insoles are safe to use in stroke rehabilitation. The participants experienced that they were more conscious of their asymmetrical weight bearing in standing and walking and that their gait improved after the intervention with smart insoles. The treatment with smart insoles showed a trend for more symmetrical weight bearing in standing and walking as compared to before intervention.
Conclusion(s): Treatment with self-monitoring smart insoles during gait training can be feasible in natural environment post stroke. However, the technology needs further development.
Implications: Smart insoles enable persons post stroke to become more involved in their rehabilitation, because they can perform their gait training at home with access to feedback. This is suitable for people with stroke who lives at home and can walk with or without help. Further research is needed to determine the outcome of intervention.
Keywords: Smart insoles, Gait, Behavioral change
Funding acknowledgements: The work was unfunded.
Purpose: To explore the feasibility of self-monitoring using smart insoles during gait training in every day walking post stroke.
Methods: A feasibility study with mixed method. The study included five community living persons with stroke aged 38-61. The intervention contained six weeks home training with smart insoles in combination with follow-ups with a physiotherapist. Data was mainly obtained from a focus group interview, logbooks and gait measurements. The focus group interview had an inductive approach and was analyzed by qualitative content analysis.
Results: The participants were satisfied with the smart insoles but wanted them to be easier to put on with one hand. There are suggestions on how the technology could be more user friendly. The study shows that the smart insoles are safe to use in stroke rehabilitation. The participants experienced that they were more conscious of their asymmetrical weight bearing in standing and walking and that their gait improved after the intervention with smart insoles. The treatment with smart insoles showed a trend for more symmetrical weight bearing in standing and walking as compared to before intervention.
Conclusion(s): Treatment with self-monitoring smart insoles during gait training can be feasible in natural environment post stroke. However, the technology needs further development.
Implications: Smart insoles enable persons post stroke to become more involved in their rehabilitation, because they can perform their gait training at home with access to feedback. This is suitable for people with stroke who lives at home and can walk with or without help. Further research is needed to determine the outcome of intervention.
Keywords: Smart insoles, Gait, Behavioral change
Funding acknowledgements: The work was unfunded.
Topic: Neurology: stroke; Robotics & technology; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Region Västmanland, Clinic of Rehabilitation Medicine, Västerås
Ethics committee: The Regional Ethical Review Board in Uppsala
Ethics number: dnr 2018/025
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
