Article

Input from the foot plays an essential part in perceiving support surfaces and
determining kinematic events in human walking. To simulate adequate tactile
pressure inputs under body weight support (BWS) conditions that represent an
effective form of locomotion training, we here developed a new method of phasic
mechanical foot stimulation using light-weight pneumatic insoles placed inside
the shoes (under the heel and metatarsus). To test the system, we asked healthy
participants to walk on a treadmill with different levels of BWS. The pressure
under the stimulated areas of the feet and subjective sensations were higher at
high levels of BWS and when applied to the ball and toes rather than heels. Foot
stimulation did not disturb significantly the normal motor pattern, and in all
participants we evoked a reliable step-synchronized triggering of stimuli for
each leg separately. This approach has been performed in a general framework
looking for "afferent templates" of human locomotion that could be used for
functional sensory stimulation. The proposed technique can be used to imitate or
partially restore surrogate contact forces under body weight support conditions.
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Langue : ANGLAIS